God Bless Big Sully

Dear Hearts,

Thirty years ago today, September 29, 1990, Big Sully passed away peacefully in his sleep. It was and was not a surprise to all of us. Mom was amazed at how comfy he looked that morning she found him in bed, sleeping on his side with his forearm draped across his face. It seemed as though he slipped into eternity with comfort and ease.

He left us on the Feast of the Archangels--Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. All three of these saints have important roles in the history of salvation. Among other tasks, Michael's job is to call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment. Gabriel foretold to Mary the birth of the Savior. Raphael is known for his healing acts of mercy. A great group of escorts, if you ask me.

We miss him, we love him and all feel his presence in various ways. Keep watching over us, Dad. And we pray you are enjoying eternal life with Jesus and all our loved ones.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Pitty Pat

Happy Birthday, Dagny!

Dear Hearts,

September 27th is the birthday of Dagny White Brogdon: daughter of Whitey and Signe; sister of Kermit, Mike and Abigail; wife of Russell and mother of Kermit and Nathaniel.

Dagny is a forensic chemist working in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and has achieved a degree of fame in Georgia among the law enforcement community there. She analyzes evidence in drug cases and others and the fact is that nobody seems to do that job like Dagny.

When facing a particularly aggressive defense attorney who was trying to degrade the State's case, Dagny's unflappable demeanor and utter grasp of the intricacies of the case defeated the attorney's attack in detail. The official report read, "Watching Dagny White Brogdon testify was like watching bullets bounce off Superman."

When she takes off her lab coat, Dagny enjoys being home with her boys, playing, watching sports, traveling and enjoying time together. She also ran the Boston Mini Marathon last year!

Happy Birthday, Dagny, and may you have 65 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Kathleen!

Dear Hearts,

September 24th is the birthday of Kathleen Marie Sullivan: daughter of Jim and Erin; sister of John, Annie, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; granddaughter of Aunt Darlene, niece, cousin and friend to scores more lucky people.

Kathleen has started her junior year at Christendom College in Virginia as a History major. She is very active on their Student Activities Council, planning and running dances and events. She also works for a catering company in the area. Kathleen recently passed the exam to become a certified nursing assistant in Nebraska and plans to attend nursing school after college. She loves Christendom and plans to study in Rome this year for her spring semester.

At home or school, Kathleen brightens up a room with her sweet smile and loving attitude. It's also beautiful to see how she lives out her faith in a compassionate and positive way for all to see. Imagine the goodness she will bring in the future to patients in need of just that--compassion and care.

So, happy birthday, Kathleen, and may you have 104 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Dear Hearts,

September 23rd is the birthday of Sarah Cassaro Sullivan: daughter of Sam and Rosemary; sister of Elizabeth, Kathleen, Patricia, Ann, Mark, Lorne and Debra; wife of Miles; mother of Maeve, James and Silas; sister-in-law, niece, cousin and friend to many more lucky folks.

Sarah is a talented professional who received a BA in Philosophy and an MA in education and worked as a corporate Operations Manager. Then, in 2013, she accepted her most important job--mama! In the little time I've spent with her, I could see clearly that Sarah is in her element with this position--patient, loving, funny and smart.

Her compassionate heart is apparent in everything she does, including supporting Miles in his work and music life, guiding and reassuring the children through the strange times of Covid-19, and welcoming friends and family into their cozy and beautiful home.

So, happy birthday, Sarah, and may you have 85 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday Annemarie!

Dear Hearts,

August 23rd is the birthday of Annemarie Clare Sullivan: daughter of Peter and Melody; sister of John, Matthew, Benjamin, Mikey and Bo; granddaughter of Aunt Darlene; cousin, niece and friend to so many more. Annie just got her braces off in time for high school!

She is sure to take advantage of new opportunities in her new school, as Annie is a very brave, smart, kind and talented young woman. As a performer, she has taken voice lessons, practiced, sung in front of hundreds of people, and listened and learned from serious theater critics, 

At home Annie is a sweet sister and daughter, making family life better and more fun through her creativity. Her cooking is quite impressive and she even created a terrific video promo for the family's "Sullivan Chef Challenge," worthy of network TV!

So, happy birthday, Annie, and may you have 110 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Margaret Mae!

Dear Hearts, 

September 22nd is the birthday of Bitsy's daughter, Margaret Mae Dawson. Maggie is a successful entrepreneur, owning, running and growing her own fabric and quilt-supply business out of her shop in the Calumet Region. Maggie is a talented artist with some of the cutest fabric designs I've ever seen! A few are available on a website called Spoonflower, under her shop name Maggiedee.  

Maggie is a faithful and loyal daughter and she and Bitsy spend a lot of good time together. Brings her Mama much happiness.

Happy birthday, Maggie, and may you have 84 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, James!

Dear Hearts,

September 18th is the birthday of James Patrick Sullivan IV: son of Miles and Sarah; brother of Maeve and Silas; grandson of Jim, Nancy and Bitsy; cousin, nephew and buddy to many more lucky folks. He is the spitting image of an Irish-America boy who would've fit right in to a Norman Rockwell painting.

He is one of ten men named James in our family: 

Booma's father, James Patrick Conick, 

Nanny's brother, James Maloney; 

Boom Boom's brother, James Sheehan;

James Patrick Sr.; 

Uncle James Francis Whalen; 

James Patrick Jr.; 

James Patrick III; 

James Naime;

James Robert Herrington; 

James Patrick IV;

James is a very sweet boy and has taken to being a big brother to Silas very nicely. This fall he is starting kindergarten and is sure to sore through his lessons. 

So, happy birthday, James, and may you have 120 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, John Robert!

Dear Hearts,

September 18th is the birthday of John Robert Sullivan: Son of (Seamus the Younger) Jim and Erin; brother of Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; husband of Mercy; cousin, nephew, in-law and friend to scores more folks. Recently, he has taken on the role of father, as his bride is expecting to deliver their first-born next month! 

John and Mercy just moved into their own town home, preparing for their growing family.  Despite the weird Covid-19 season, he still loves baseball and plans to teach his son to be a loyal Cubs fan.

Professionally, John is a Senior System Administrator at Virtual Service Operations, managing computer system projects for various companies around the country. He has enjoyed success with the company so far, being asked to train for a leadership role as the company expands. 

So, happy birthday, John Robert. May you have 101 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Mickey!

Dear Hearts,

September 14th is the birthday of Michael Levon Sullivan: son of John and Elizabeth; brother of Charlie; grandson of Mike and Joan; cousin of Caroline, Grace and June; nephew and buddy to many more. We all call him Mickey.

Mickey is the spitting image of his Bampa (grandpa Mike) and has a smile that will melt away any cares or worries. While he loves being his brother's partner in all things fun and mildly dangerous, Mickey is an independent, creative and active little guy in his own right--swimming, playing, coloring and laughing through life.

Happy birthday, Mickey, and may you have 121 more healthy ones by your Grandma's Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Dear Hearts,

September 11th is Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On this day Americans across the country are called to volunteer in their local communities in tribute to the people lost and injured in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Nineteen years ago today. It was surreal. It was terrifying. We saw the worst and the best in people on that day. It's difficult, but I strive to remember the goodness, the holiness and the compassion shown by so many back then. Franciscan Father Joseph Bayne, chief chaplain of New York's Erie County Emergency Services said,
"I did not see the devil's face at Ground Zero. I saw the face of God in the people working, caring, sweating, crying, rescuing, recovering and being very spiritual in their very humanness."

God bless the dead and the damaged left in the wake of this hateful endeavor.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Dear Hearts,

September 10th is the birthday of Jim Sullivan, Seamus the Younger: son of Bob and Darlene; brother to John, Bobby, Paul, Mike, Tim, Mary, Margaret, Ella and Peter; husband to Erin, father to John, Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; uncle, cousin and friend to scores of us. When we were little, we called him "Jimbo." This is the big 5-0 for him!

As an anesthesiologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Jim is certainly busy with his work these days, albeit a "good busy," according to Erin. He continues to be a most dedicated and devoted husband and father, and is very much looking forward to being a grandfather very soon! Yep, Jim and Erin will meet their first grandchild in a month or so--the first-born of John and Mercy. God is good.

So, happy birthday, Jim. I'm sure you'll be surrounded by lots of love and attention from your beautiful brood. May you have 75 more healthy ones according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Brigid!

Dear Hearts,

September 9th is the birthday of Brigid Clare Sullivan: daughter of Seamus the Younger and Erin; sister of John, Annie, Kathleen, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Seamus and Patrick; niece, cousin and friend to many, many more lucky folks. Like so many in our clan, Brigid's face is the map of Ireland!

According to her mom, Brigid is 11 going on 25. She can't wait to grow up so she can drive a car, go to college and have a job. Indeed she is so independent and intelligent, Brigid could run the house if mom and dad allowed it. She loves dance, spending time with her best friend and cousin, Kate, and Brigid is doing very well so far in 5th grade. She has informed her mom that she plans to have 11 children (one more than her mother.)💚

So, happy birthday, Brigid, and may you have 114 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Hearts,

September 8th is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was conceived without original sin by Joachim and Ann nine months before this day on December 8th, the Immaculate Conception.

"We can see every human birth as a call for new hope in the world. The love of two human beings has joined with God in his creative work. The loving parents have shown hope in a world filled with travail. The new child has the potential to be a channel of God’s love and peace to the world.

This is all true in a magnificent way in Mary. If Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love, Mary is the foreshadowing of that love. If Jesus has brought the fullness of salvation, Mary is its dawning.

Birthday celebrations bring happiness to the celebrant as well as to family and friends. Next to the birth of Jesus, Mary’s birth offers the greatest possible happiness to the world. Each time we celebrate her birth, we can confidently hope for an increase of peace in our hearts and in the world at large." https://www.franciscanmedia.org/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Knarf!

Dear Hearts,

September 4th is the birthday of Francis Galvin, known as Knarf: Godson of Seamus the Older; husband of Annette; father of Fiona; cousin, nephew and friend to many more. He is a steady, productive member of the Chicago commodity trading community.

Knarf has been the fifth brother in Jim's family since he was about 7. He is a fine man and a real character. Happy Birthday, Frank, and may you have 84 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keeep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Dear Hearts,

September 4th is the birthday of Henry Aaron Hareid: son of Kate and Aaron; brother of Ava, grandson of Mary Fran and Gary; nephew, cousin, teammate and friend to a lot of other lucky folks.

Henry has just started fifth grade and hopefully is cruising in the world of distance learning. He has always been and continues to be quite an athlete, skiing, playing hockey and baseball. He's also developed a passion for skateboarding and was so excited when his (first) cousin (once removed) sent him a ton of gear to use and wear while practicing.

Happy Birthday, Henry, and may you have 114 more healthy ones, according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

God Bless Boom Boom

Dear Hearts,

August 30th is the 117th anniversary of the birth of Marie Frances Sheehan Wiley in Chicago. Everyone called her Boom Boom.

She is the grandmother of all the Chicago Sullivans and the Whalens, the mother of both of those mothers, Mary Claire Wiley Sullivan and Helen Wiley Whalen. She was the wife of Boompa, Irwin Vincent Wiley--married in 1925. They had two daughters and 14 grandchildren. They lived to see about thirty of their great-grandchildren. Boom Boom died on 16 August, 1997, at age 94.

I think Boom was a beautiful example of holding tight to the goodness of the past and embracing the future and all it offers. It's amazing to think about our world in 1903 and the changes she witnessed her her lifetime. She taught us about so much, including loyalty, faithfulness and generosity. We all received the best quality of everything from Boom, with abundance.

Thanks for being such a wonderful presence in our lives Boom Boom.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Aida!

Dear Hearts,

August 31st is the birthday of Aida Labto Whalen: wife of Christian Martin Whalen; mother of Karen, and June; grandmother of Isabela, Seth, Jayden and Sophie; cousin, in-law, auntie and friend to many more. I may have missed some folks here, so I apologize for any ommissions.

Aida works at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center  and loves living in Missoula. She cherishes the role of grandmother to her adorable little ones and spends as much time as possible with them--whether in Missoula, Florida or wherever her family calls home. She is loving, kind and always a pleasure to visit.

Happy Birthday, Aida, and may you have 62 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty