Beverly Sullivan

Beverly was a medical technologist who graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s and Rivier College, both in Nashua, NH. Beverly had a passion for many things. She gravitated to science and sports. She also loved all things Boston – the museums, the aquarium, the Marathon, the Pops under Keith Lockhart, Aerosmith, the Red Sox and the Patriots. She adored Tom Brady and was sad to see him leave for Tampa Bay. Beverly was an avid skier who spent many winter weekends at Sugarbush Mountain, VT. She also loved the beach and spending summers visiting Cape Cod, biking on the rail trail and exploring Old Cape Cod on 6A. Every year she could, Beverly would gather with friends or family at the start of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton. She saw it as her personal duty to welcome out-of-towners to Boston and to encourage them as they readied for the difficult run.

Beverly’s greatest passion, however, was saved for her daughter, Keely, who was the light of her life. Anxious to be an engaging mother, Beverly wholeheartedly enjoyed supporting school outings and sporting events at Bancroft School and Syracuse University. She grilled lunch for the Bancroft crew team after events and was usually found on the sidelines all decked out in Bancroft Blue and Silver. Beverly was also very proud of Keely’s involvement in the performing arts. An exceptionally talented child, Keely was Bev’s pride and joy as she exceled in science, sports and art. Beverly used to say her best accomplishment was creating and nurturing such an exceptional person.

For the past two years Beverly has struggled with acute liver disease and its side effects. Each illness weakened her body to the point of needing Hospice where she ultimately could not overcome the disease. The long term consequences of a life time of ignoring warnings regarding liver health can have a serious effect on all of the body’s organs. Please listen to your primary care physician and look for signs of impacts to your liver. For further information on the importance of liver health, please contact The American Liver Foundation.

Beverly is predeceased by her mother, Jeanne M. Ellars and is survived by her father, Vernon D. Ellars of Dennis, MA. She is also survived by her daughter, Keely Alexa Sullivan of Paris, France and Arlington, VA, and Keely’s fiancé, Jesper van den Bergh of Arlington, VA, three sisters: Patricia Cox and Jeanine Esperne of Massachusetts and Stephanie Ellars of Connecticut; a cousin, Dyan Sierra of Rhode Island, and an Aunt, Suzanne Pelletier, of New Hampshire. Beverly is also survived by brothers in law, Larry Cox and Eric Esperne, several nieces and nephews and a caring former husband, Tom G. Sullivan of Northborough, MA.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to the medical personnel, care givers and friends who helped Beverly through her life journey. Many friends described her as incredibly sweet and generous. Their greatest regret, and ours, is the failure to convince Beverly to recognize turning points in her disease and the importance of the receiving the help she needed. Her broken body can rest now but the memories of her presence here with us will not fade.

Beverly will be laid to rest in a ceremony this summer on Cape Cod.