Mary Sullivan Obituary

Mary Sullivan Summerville - Mary Anna Sullivan died Tuesday, September 7, 2021, after a brief illness. Mary was born (together with her twin sister Anna) on January 21, 1926 in Belding, Michigan to Christie Aubill Moore and Charles Asa Moore. She spent her childhood years on the family farm during the Depression Era and as a young adult worked as an assistant in a local law firm. During the last year of WW2 she met her future husband, Ralph, while sitting at the soda fountain at the local drug store right before he began his service in the Army. Two months after VJ day they married and soon after began their family. They moved to Summerville in 1951, where Ralph began his business while Mary supported him and raised the growing family of five children. Mary pursued many interests, but especially enjoyed renovating the family home, design, and the "domestic arts". She had wonderful taste and made her beloved home a showplace that for 70 years was the gathering place for her family and friends for holidays, weddings, and community events. Mary was definitely a young woman at heart and enjoyed being physically active throughout her life, finding ways to stay fit such as yoga, golf, and most recently walking or bicycling 4 miles a day, well into her 90s. She served the Summerville community through her many years including, most recently, the Summerville Family Y, Meals on Wheels, and Second Chance. She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Sullivan and her son, Chris Sullivan. She is survived by her children, Susan Collins (Jim), John Sullivan, Beth Benedict (Beau), Abby Massalon (John); her grandchildren, Bo Benedict (Jenna), Elizabeth Fishburne (William), Simmons Sullivan, Mary Massalon, Annabeth Sullivan, John Sullivan, and Susanna Massalon; and great-grandchildren, Sullivan, Amy, and Josie. A private family memorial service will take place at a future date. Memorials can be made to the Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1 Carriage Ln. bldg.A, Charleston, SC 29407 or Summerville Preservation Society, 201 W. Carolina Ave., Summerville, SC 29483. Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North St. Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston