Doris A. Sullivan

Doris’s rich family life began in New Bedford, MA on January 1, 1924, the daughter of Paul and Corrine (Gaboriault) Poisson. She was one of six children and is survived by her sister Rita Blanchette (age 97) of New Bedford. She was predeceased by brothers Paul, Roland, and Omer Poisson. Her sister Roseanna (Flo) Valliere passed away at 99 on August 9, 2015.

Doris attended St. Anthony’ s School, Normandin Junior High and New Bedford High School, from which she graduated in 1942. She was voted “Best Dancer” by her classmates. After graduating from high school Doris worked at the Good Year Company in New Bedford, climbing into the blimps with slippers on to glue and seal the seams.

Doris was predeceased in 1989 by her husband Edward B. Sullivan, Sr., former Sports Editor of the Cape Cod Times. They were married in New Bedford on August 5, 1945, and moved to the Cape in 1950, first to West Hyannisport then to Centerville in 1960. As a young wife and mother Doris was a member of the Hyannis Junior Women’s Club. She and her husband, were long time members of The Hyannis Yacht Club. She and Ed enjoyed many Saturday evenings at the Captain’s Table associated with HYC. In addition to raising her five children Doris was a secretary at Mid-Cape Ford for eighteen years.

Doris was predeceased by her older son Michael E. Sullivan whose death broke her heart. She is survived by daughters Patricia Sullivan of Hyannis, Margaret Sullivan and husband Bruce Jones of Barnstable and Kelly Sullivan of Arlington, MA, and son Edward Sullivan, Jr. and wife Marianne of Centerville, MA and daughter-in-law Cecile Sullivan of West Hyannisport.

She was “Memere” to her ten grandchildren—Michelle Sullivan, Cece Sullivan-Rohrbach, Kate Sullivan-Jones, Kyle Sullivan-Jones, Edward (Ted) Sullivan III, Derek Sullivan, Jenna Wiederhold, Emily Wiederhold, Rachel Greenley and Aaron Jones.

She was “Memere Dot” to her 4 great-grandchildren, Sean and Julia Greenley and Olivia and Isabel Jones. Doris is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Doris loved the beach. You would find her every weekday in the summer with her young children at Veterans Beach, meeting up with the Smiths, Flahertys, Klimms, and Sullivans. She never lost her love of dancing, especially with her husband. She and her two sisters enjoyed many bus trips to Foxwoods, always proclaiming they came home ahead.

Doris and Ed enjoyed many trips to Hawaii in the winter to visit daughter Pat. Doris loved a bargain, the color blue, yard sales, teddy bears,and was a huge fan of Roger Federer. She will be missed daily by all that knew her for her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Cape Regency for their kind and compassionate care while she lived with them.

Calling hours will be from 5-7 pm on Friday, September 18, 2015 at Doane ,Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 3330 Main St. (Rte 6A) Barnstable, MA in Barnstable Village at 3pm on Saturday September 19, 2015. Burial will be private. For online condolence, please visit www.doanebealames.com.