Marie Lorraine Sullivan

Lorraine's life began in Chicago, IL, on May 16, 1925, the daughter of Konred “Bud” and Marie Catherine (McVady) Secrest. Lorraine graduated from Visitation High School (1943) and was united in marriage to Cornelius Joseph Sullivan on October 23, 1948 in Chicago. Lorraine and Neil had six children. Lorraine retired from Klett Construction in 1987, and began another career at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, MI as Volunteer Coordinator. She was a life-long member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sister Lakes, MI, and a dedicated volunteer throughout her entire life. Her greatest contributions were in the Girl Scouts of Chicago, Sacred Heart Church, Lee Memorial Hospital, Red Hats Society (serving several terms as “Queen Bee”!), AARP, and other causes that came to her heart. The granddaughter of Irish immigrants, Lorraine became a citizen of Ireland in 2006. Raising her six children was her greatest focus and accomplishment. She is survived by her daughters Maureen (John) Kuriata of Dowagiac; Eileen (Hal) Shue of Niles; Kathleen (James) Lopez (both deceased); Colleen (Jon) Gentry of Rochester, MI; and her sons Kevin (Annemieke) Sullivan of Crystal Lake, IL; and Denis (Nevenka) Sullivan of Arlington, MA. Lorraine helped raise 12 grandchildren: Denise Caldwell and Shaun Kuriata; Teddy Wallace and Jennifer Glenn; Brian, Katie, and Connor Sullivan; JoAnna and Grace Sullivan; and Erin Hess, Jared Leets, and Ryan Gentry; Royce Kuriata; Christopher and Lacey Shue; 10 great-grandchildren; and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends – all of whom love and adore her and consider her a “second mother”. Lorraine is survived as well by her loving sister Marilyn “Mimi” and brother-in-law John “Jack” Pitcher. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and James Lopez. Lorraine's family will gather with friends on Friday April 16th from 4 – 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, 405 Center St. Dowagiac MI. Her funeral service will be on Saturday April 17, 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Rd. Dowagiac (Silver Creek), MI. Lorraine will be laid to rest in Keeler Township Cemetery after the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, or Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Lorraine at www.yazel-clark.com.