Patricia Ann (O'Connell) Sullivan

Patricia Ann (O'Connell) Sullivan, 65, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 20, 2012. A lifelong resident of Toledo, Pat was raised in the South End by John & Edith O'Connell. After attending Immaculate Conception (Darby) School and St. Ursula Academy, she distinguished herself as the family’s first college graduate, earning a BSN degree from the University of Toledo after completing a program at the Mercy School of Nursing. In the course of a 48 year nursing career, Pat inspired the trust, respect, and gratitude of her patients and colleagues with her unwavering compassion, her breadth of expertise, and her uncompromising devotion to the principles of her profession. She began her career at Mercy Hospital, caring for patients in the ICU, CCU, and Clinic. She joined the ICU staff at The Toledo Hospital in 1981 before moving to the role of Critical Care Clinical Educator. In 1988, Pat began offering her care to SICU patients at the University of Michigan. In the most recent 12 years, she served as a Clinical Care Coordinator at the U of M’s adult liver transplant center. Pat was the matriarch, role model, and anchor of her extended family. She and her loving husband and companion, Dennis Sullivan, were blessed with three children, Bridgett (Erich) Emhuff, Brian (Kelly) Sullivan, and Maureen (Ken) Freeman. Grandchildren Colin, Meghan, Aidan, Fiona, Jack, Brennan, and Samantha were the pride and joy of her later life. Pat cherished her relatives, and she was also an adored and devoted member of a second family, a circle of intimate and loving friends, many of whom were at her side when she passed. Her remarkably active life was punctuated by showering her family with gifts (she loved to shop), by visits to the gym, reading, travel with family and friends, stops at Starbucks, and Sunday afternoon family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her parents John & Edith O'Connell, brother, Jackie O'Connell, sister, Linda Vayda, and her uncle, Joe O'Connell. Pat leaves her family, friends, and patients with a legacy of compassion, generosity, strength, integrity, righteousness, loyalty, and enduring love. Those touched by Pat’s virtue will be honored to carry her treasured influence to future generations. Pat will live with us forever. Family and friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, in the mortuary, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the University of Michigan Transplant Center, Patient Assistance Fund, 300 N. Ingalls, Room 2C40, Ann, Arbor, MI 48109-5451.

Patricia Ann (O'Connell) Sullivan

October 11, 1946 - May 20, 2012