Happy Birthday, Brandon!

Dear Hearts,

October 31 is the birthday of Brandon Goku Ryan: son of Maggie and Wade; grandson of John and Nancy; cousin of Evangeline and Violet; nephew of Michael, Lindsay and Lucy; and a sweet, happy little grand nephew and buddy to all of us.

Brandon and Maggie are enjoying life in Baltimore where Brandon's days are filled with playing, gardening, cruising around the neighborhood in a tiny electric vehicle and discussing diverse and hilarious topics. He is expert in identifying cars and imagining he is a baby kitten. To spend time in conversation with Brandon is a pleasure--he is one of the most articulate four-year-olds I've ever encountered.

 He is a happy guy with a smile that will melt your heart. And he does the most impressive imitation of his Heepa giving a hilarious arched-eyebrow look!

Happy birthday, Brandon, and may you have 121 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, Matt!

Dear Hearts,

October 30th is the birthday of Matthew Wiley Sullivan, Sr.: father of Matty, Henry and Georgia; father-in-law to Alyssa; grandfather of Averee; son of Big Sully and Mary Claire; brother of Jim, Mary Fran, John, Mike, Anne, Jerry, Margy and Patty; uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to lots more folks. 

Still enjoying the joy of his son's wedding, Matt lives a busy life in Hollywood. Active in the acting community, he is a member of Open Fist Theater Company, a dynamic community of artists engaging audiences and sharing impactful stories. He continues to audition here and there for various parts and is enjoying attending screenings of major films as a member of the committee that evaluates films. Matt's creativity extends to the kitchen and beyond to his extensive and vibrant garden, from which he eats daily and shares lots of tasty fruits and veggies with family, friends and neighbors.

Matt loves the chance to hang out with Henry and Georgia in La Jolla, visit the farmers' market near his place and take a trip to the beach for some ocean swimming. 

Happy Birthday, Matt, and may you have 57 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, Eli!

Dear Hearts,

October 26th is the birthday of Elianah Merwin: daughter of Joe and Sondra; granddaughter of Mary Fran and Gary; cousin of Ava, Henry, Francesca and Inez, sister, niece and friend to many more.

Elianah is growing up to be a beautiful, smart and talented young lady. Outside of school she enjoys challenging herself in various athletic endeavors and music lessons. Indeed, her artistry is diverse, as Elianah enjoys drawing and redecorating her bedroom.

With all that strength, Elianah continues to be a bountiful source of kindness and beauty to the world. And her sense of humor is divine!

Happy Birthday, sweet Eli, and may you have 110 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, Anna!

Dear Hearts,

October 23rd is the birthday of Anna Margaret Herrington: daughter of Ella and Phillip Herrington; sister to Dee Dee, Joseph, John, Ruth, James, Agnes and Rose; granddaughter of Bob and Darlene and Eddie and Sylvia; cousin, niece and friend to dozens more lucky people. Her name brings thoughts of two wonderful and important people in our family--Aunt Margaret and Aunt Anna Rita, aka The Aunties.

Anna is Aunt Darlene's 43rd grandchild! Since the day she was born, Anna has graced the world with her sweet face and sparkling eyes, often accompanied by a happy smile. I'm sure she is cruising through school grade with good grades and wonderful behavior.

Happy birthday, sweet girl. May you have 115 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, Phillip!

Dear Hearts,

October 18th is the birthday of Phillip Andrew Herrington: son of Eddie and Sylvia; brother of Joseph, Audrey and James; husband of Ella; father of Dee Dee, Joseph, John, Ruth, James, Anna, Agnes and Rose; in-law, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend to so many more.

As the Theater Arts teacher at Apollo High School, Phillip directs the plays and musicals each year. As a thespian, he is a member of a several theater groups with a long list of credits. Among his credits are work in 9 Circles, Building the Wall, The Crucible, As You Like It, Taming of the Shrew and more. Earlier this year, Phillip joined the cast of Martin McDonagh’s “The Lonesome West” at the Ronin Theatre Company in Phoenix. A few months ago, Phillip dropped off Agnes at her first year of school (kindergarten), and then reported to his own classroom to begin his 20th year of teaching!

But most important is Phillip as a husband and father. He is so proud celebrating sacraments, graduations and birthdays with all the kids and is rather amazed to be the father of an adult now that Dee Dee is off at college! And more than ever, he is smitten with his Ella, who he calls his favorite person.

Happy Birthday, Phillip, and may you have 78 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Anticipation of 2008.

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

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Brynn!

Dear Hearts,

October 16th is the birthday of Brynn Noelle Sullivan: daughter of Tim and Maureen; sister of Andrew; granddaughter of Bob and Darlene and Andrew and Phyllis; niece, cousin and friend to many more.

Brynn is a beautiful blend of her mother and father--beautiful, smart, kind and funny! She has struck out into the world to explore new places and take on new challenges, and we look forward to seeing how her future unfolds. One thing is for sure, where ever she lands, she will add beauty to the place.

Happy Birthday sweetheart, and may you have 103 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, Beatrice!

Dear Hearts,

October 14th is the birthday of Beatrice Adelaide Sullivan: daughter of Mick and Mary; sister to Oscar and Georgia; granddaughter to Nancy Nau Sullivan, Jim and Bitsy and George and Eleanor Reid; niece, cousin and friend to scores more lucky folks.

Beatrice has continues to swim competitively on the Decatur Family YMCA team and is ranked quite high. Using a baseball term, I would say she is a real utility player, swimming in just about any stroke or distance the teams needs her to swim--freestyle, butterfly, breast, back and IM.

Sport is not her only love, however. Beatrice loves to read and is one of those fascinating people who is both strong and dainty at the same time.

Happy birthday, Little Bea, and may you have 110 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, Ivar!

Dear Hearts,

October 13th is the birthday of Ivar James Sullivan: son of John and Mercy; grandson of Jim and Erin and Skip and Donna; great grandson of Darlene and Bob; brother to Adrian, Simon and Jude; and nephew to scores of folks. 

On his fourth trip around the sun Ivar has grown into a fine big brother. His smile lights up the world and he is clearly a happy, secure little fella. Especially when he can run and play outside and cuddle with mama when he slows down. He also has the cutest little cowlick I've ever seen.

Happy birthday Ivar, and may you have 121 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, Russ!

Dear Hearts,

October 12th is the birthday of Russ Brogdon: son-in-law of Whitey and Signe; husband of Dagne; father of Matthew and Nathaniel; in-law, cousin and friend to many more.

Russ is a Georgia man who has a fine reputation, takes good care of Dagne's beautiful heart and has earned the respect of Whitey. He is also a dedicated Georgia Bulldog fan who also enjoys golf and travel with his family.

Happy Birthday, Russ, and may you have 79 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

God Bless Maurice Maloney

Dear Hearts,

October 11th is the 138th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Moloney, brother of Kate Sheehan (Boom's mom who was called Nanny by Mary Claire and Helen). Maurice was born October 11, 1878.

When Jim was in Ireland in 1992, found the family farm there in Clare and visited with Nicholas FitzPatrick, Maurice's neighbor and oldest friend. Nicholas almost fainted when Jim got out of the car--he thought it was Maurice himself who had come back from the grave! Nicholas said, "You are the dead spit of Maurice. If you'd had a walking stick in your hand, I would have had a heart attack." Maurice died in his nineties in the 1970s.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Maurice. God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

God Bless Mary Fran

Dear Hearts,

October 11th is the 14th anniversary of the passing of Mary Fran Merwin: daughter of Big Sully and Mary Claire; sister of Jim, John, Mike, Matt, Anne, Jerry, Margaret and Patty; wife of Gary Merwin; mother of Joe, Katie, Luke and Maggie; grandmother to Ava, Henry, Elianah, Francesca and Inez; granddaughter, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, niece and friend to so many more lucky folks.

She was larger than life in every way--so loving, smart, funny, professional, compassionate and kind. Sixteen years older than me, I had the joy and amazement of watching her get ready for dates--helping her choose what earrings to wear, smelling the Jean Nate perfume, getting to secretly try her lipstick.

In every phase of her life she amazed us all--as a college student, so independent and successful; as a young wife, so loving and creative; as a mother, so wise and nurturing; as a teacher and ultimately the principal of the largest high school in Wisconsin, so compassionate and professional. We are all better people to have known and loved her, and I pray we can all live up to her example.

We sure do miss you MF. Keep sending your messages and watching over us.

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

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Brian!

 Dear Hearts,

October 11th is the birthday of Brian Cusick: son of Budd and June; brother of Katherine, Linda, Debra and Bitsy; brother-in-law; uncle, cousin and friend to many more. Everyone calls him Budd.

Budd is the owner of Budd Autobody, the shop his dad opened in 1946 in Hammond, Indiana. He has ushered the shop into the 21st century beautifully and developed a state-of-the-art facility. It's a lot different from when he, at age five, began working with his dad, separating screws, washers and nuts into boxes. He was 10 when he painted his first car for a neighbor. He has truly made a name for himself as an honest and reputable business man in the Calumet Region.

While his business has an up-to-date and relevant Facebook page, Brian has eluded me in my hunt for a photograph of him. So I've included here pictures of the shop. It is one of the best-looking auto shops I've ever seen! (Let this be a lesson to the rest of you, if you don't send me updated info and photos, I must depend on the internet's resources.)

Happy Birthday Brian, and may you have 59 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, Aunt Darlene!

Dear Hearts,

Aunt Darlene celebrates the birth
of her 50th grandchild.

October 10th is the birthday of our beloved Sullivan matriarch, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother--Darlene Shajin Silva Sullivan: Wife of Uncle Bob; mother (and mother-in-law) of John, Jim and Erin, Bobby and Nicole, Paul and Stephanie, Mike and Shelly, Tim and Maureen, Sister John Mary, Margaret and Paul Lewis, Ella and Phillip Herrington, Peter and Melody; aunt of the nine children of Big Sully and many more on the Silva side; grandmother of 50 Sullivans, Lewises and Herringtons; great grandmother to at least seven with more on the way, and friend and mentor to so many more.

Aunt Darlene is strong and loving, faithful and smart and funny! She is the beating heart of the family, an engine of love and courage. Living proof of this is the love and devotion shown by her nine living children. Whether they live far or near--Vancouver, British Columbia or right next door--each one and their families are in almost constant contact with Aunt Darlene, seeking her advice, discussing the world's challenges or laughing about the various antics of the clan.

Happy birthday, Aunt Darlene, and may you have 39 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, Kameron!

Dear Hearts,

October 6th is the birthday of Kameron Hanjani: son of Ali and Julie; brother of Shyhla and Leila; husband of Maggie; father of Francesca and Inez; in-law, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend to many more.

Kam works as a project designer at Enclos, a specialty contractor that builds high performance curtainwall and facade systems. In his personal life, he enjoys every moment with his beautiful family, hiking, travelling, playing and visiting family.

 

To spend time with Kameron is relaxing and enjoyable, as he can and will engage in virtually any topic thrown out--sports, engineering, child rearing, music, travel, food, etc. In my opinion, this is a sign of great intelligence and compassion. He is a serious Vikings football fan, a life-long fisherman and has tried his hand as a home brewer.

Happy Birthday, Kam, 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 keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, James!

Dear Hearts,

October 5the is the birthday of James Dominic Sullivan: son of Peter and Melody; brother of Annie, John, Matthew, Benjamin, Mikey and Bo; cousin and beloved new friend to so many. James is Aunt Darlene's 50th grandchild!

This little guy has clearly enjoyed his first two trips around the sun--in the arms of his parents and loved ones, as well as running around having a great time with his brothers and sister.

So, happy birthday, James Dominic, and may you have 123 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, Lizzy!

 Dear Hearts,

October 5th is the birthday of Elizabeth Flores: daughter of Margaret and Brian; sister of Daniel; wife of Randy; mama of Levi, Amos and Maggie; in-law, niece, cousin and friend to many more.

As an educator, Lizzy has enhanced her presence agt Mt. Baldy School, recently returning to the classroom to teach, as well as serving the school as an instructional coach. And get this: Lizzy is co-teaching with her cousin Katie O and both of their children (Levi and Caroline) are in that class! The two are proving to be a truly dynamic duo. Each morning, all three Flores kids and momma pack up and head to school together. 

 

Outside of work, Lizzy still loves to read voraciously, enjoy music, cooking, gardening and keeping their beautiful mountain home cozy and comfy. Her penchant for organization, list-making and project planning is quite admirable and makes her one of the most productive people I know.

So, happy birthday, Lizzy, and may you have 86 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration.

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

Love,
Patty

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad

Dear Hearts,

Seventy-six years ago today, James Patrick Sullivan and Mary Claire Wiley were married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on the Southside of Chicago. It was the Feast of St. Francis. They lived on earth as husband and wife for almost 43 years, and we pray they are in wedded bliss in heaven, along with their wedding party and families.

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

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday Dee Dee!

Dear Hearts,

Dee Dee with her cousins Emma and
Mia at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

October 2nd is the birthday of Darlene Sylvia Herrington: daughter of Phillip and Ella Herrington; sister of Joseph, John, Ruth, James, Ann, Agnes and Rose. She is the granddaughter of Eddie and Sylvia, Bob and her namesake, Darlene. Her family calls her DeeDee.

At the start of her second year of college, Dee Dee boarded a plane to Rome where she is studying with the University of Dallas. This is the same program her mom and dad enjoyed back in the day, as well as many of her cousins. A well-deserved adventure after earning the distinction of being placed on the Dean's List with a grade point average was 3.5 or higher.

Happy birthday, Dee Dee, and may you have 107 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

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

Love, Patty