Sullivan, Eileen M.
Eileen M. Sullivan (née Lawler), 93, of Beltsville, MD died February 6, 2022 peacefully at home. Eileen was born November 30, 1928 on Staten Island to Mary K. Lawler (née McGinn) and Richard Lawler. Raised by her widowed mother during the depression, Eileen excelled in school graduating early from St. Peter’s High School in 1946. As a teenager, Eileen worked assembling walkie-talkies during WWII. A devout Irish Catholic and a lifelong devotee to the Sacred Heart, Eileen attended mass daily on her way to work as a cost analyst at Bond Bread in Manhattan, NY. Eileen lived on Staten Island until her marriage to Eugene J. Sullivan, Sr. in 1953. Following their marriage, they lived in Arlington, VA both working at the newly created National Security Agency. Eileen and her husband moved to College Park, MD in the late 1950’s. Finally settling in Beltsville, MD with her family in 1965. She was a member of St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church and was very involved volunteering to rejuvenate the Bingo Kitchen to turn a profit, tutoring students in math at the school and establishing religious programs such as RCIA, Liturgy of the Hours and saying the rosary after daily mass. Eileen recruited parishioners to attend the 8 am daily mass in the convent chapel, attendance grew so large that the service was then moved to the church. As a member of the Knights of Columbus’ women’s group, the Ladies of the Knights, she planned and catered many events. She was a people person always going out of her way to make others feel comfortable and welcome.
Eileen had a quick wit and a NY sense of humor full of one-liners, a love of art, arts and crafts, junking and “drive-by salvaging”, reading mystery novels and later in life tv mysteries. She was a 13-year breast cancer survivor. Eileen was predeceased by her former husband of 32 years, Eugene J. Sullivan, Sr., her parents and her sister Genevieve Lawler. Eileen is survived by her children: Donna Bond, Richard Sullivan (Bridget), Patty Garner (Steve), Claire Marshall (Charles), Annette Brown, Eugene Sullivan, Jr., Marty Sullivan (Lori). Twenty-two grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Visitation was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beltsville on Saturday, February 19 from 10 am until the time of Mass at 11 am. Interment private in New York. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Church or EWTV Global Catholic Television.