Phyllis (McMahon) Sullivan

Waterbury-Phyllis (McMahon) Sullivan, age 85, wife of the late James T. Sullivan, passed away peacefully on Monday October 3, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Sullivan was born on August 30, 1931 in Waterbury, CT, daughter of the late John and Mary (Phalen) McMahon.  A lifelong resident of Waterbury, she graduated from Waterbury Catholic High, Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York where she worked as a registered nurse in the emergency room.  Phyllis returned to Waterbury in 1953, and worked at Waterbury Hospital on the Miller Floor.  She was Head Nurse at age 23 and worked there until she began raising her family.

A very prayerful woman, her catholic faith was of utmost importance, which she and her husband instilled in their six children.  She was very involved with her parish and a longtime member of the Altar Society.

An avid lover of the outdoors, in particular bird watching, hiking and gardening, her many interests were contagious and lived in the spirit of joy and humor.  Also possessing a spirit of adventure, at age 17, she rode her bike to Montreal and then to Cape Cod, and was a member of the American Youth Hostel.  She will be lovingly remembered for her faith, humility, love of learning and virtue.

Mrs. Sullivan is survived by her three sons, Rev. James Sullivan, Administrator of the Church of the Assumption in Ansonia, CT, John Sullivan and his wife Robin of Watertown, and Dennis Sullivan of Wolcott; her two daughters, Sister Veronica Mary Sullivan, S.V. (Eileen) of  Yonkers, NY, and Moira Sullivan Shapland of Bristol, CT; her seven grandchildren, Marissa Sullivan, Erin, Hannah, and Margaret Shapland, Graceanne, Christopher and Caitlyn Sullivan; her great grandson, Grayson Sullivan;  and several nieces and nephews.  Phyllis was predeceased by her son; William Sullivan; her brother Rev. John McMahon, O.P.; and her sisters, Deborah McMahon Harnett and Mary McMahon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday October 7, 2016 at 10a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 338 North Main Street, Naugatuck.  Those attending are asked to please meet at the church at 9:45a.m.   Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Watertown.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday October 6, 2016 from 4p.m. to 8p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Life, 38 Montebello Road, Montebello, NY 10901, or to Assumption School Gymnasium and Auditorium Restoration Fund, 55 North Cliff Street, Ansonia, CT 06401.   To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com

 Service Information