Obituary for Karol Sullivan
Karol Olivia Sullivan, 81, of Essex Fells, N.J. - wife, mother, grandmother and advocate for families - was called home to God on February 25, 2022.
Born in Auburn, Massachusetts, Karol (with a “K”) was the daughter of Eunice Bylund, and the granddaughter of Gerda and Knute Bylund. With a childhood that moved her from Massachusetts to Virginia and back north to Westchester, N.Y., Karol began the love of one of her great passions – all things art - early in life. Gifted with a natural artistic talent, throughout her life Karol enjoyed creating paintings, silkscreens, collages, and sculptures – many of which adorn her colorful, welcoming and eclectic home.
In her late teens, she met the first love of her life, Timothy Patrick Sullivan of the Bronx. Double dates with dear friends Joan and Lou Sepe were followed by their marriage and the welcoming of three children Tom, Bill and Kate. Along the way, Karol supported Tim’s budding then successful career in finance as the founder of Gibraltar Securities. Successful in her own right, Karol was the co-founder and executive director for more than 30 years of Parents Support Group, NJ, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting the needs of parents and families impacted by the disease of addiction with a network of peer support groups for parents located throughout the state.
Resplendent with her style and grace, and quick with her wit and wicked sense of humor, Karol enjoyed traveling near and far with her beloved Tim and their many close friends; later in life with her best friends Michael Radice and James Rafael; and throughout her life with her children and five grandchildren. Trips to London, Italy, Naples, Florida, Pelican Island at the Jersey Shore and Disney World were among the favorite adventures they shared.
But it was with her grandchildren – Tim, Brad, Katie, Tyler and Olivia; the second great loves of her life – no matter where they were or what they were doing that she found the most joy. Dubbed “Fa” by her first grandson Tim, Karol was known for orchestrating and encouraging the making of kitchen concoctions that rarely resulted in anything edible but always elicited her praise. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MOMA, the Museum of Natural History, the NY Botanical Gardens, along with The Bronx and Turtle Back Zoos were other favorite haunts for Karol and her sidekicks, anything she could do to introduce them to and share with them the things she loved, igniting their interest in New York City, culture, history, fashion, gardening, adventure and whimsy.
Karol was predeceased by Tim, her beloved husband of 50 years – a couple which opened their hearts and homes with great spirit, warmth, generosity, philanthropy and love to so many. Also arriving at the dance before Karol were some of her very best friends, Michael Radice, Rev. Monsignor Robert F. Schriefer, and Michael Towers.
Carrying on her legacy, joie de vivre, and philosophy of “carpe diem” are her beloved children, grandchildren and extended family members; Thomas Sullivan, his son Tyler and Tyler’s mother, Janet McInteer; William Sullivan and his wife Jennifer and their children Tim, Brad and Katie; Kate Sullivan and her daughter Olivia; her dear friend, James Rafael; and her constant canine companions, Bean and Baby. Her family extends sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and healthcare providers of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, particularly Dr. Mark Kris and Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes, as well as Phoebe, May and Grace who provided great empathy and care to Karol in her home.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday from 3pm - 6pm in the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, shookfarmer.com. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Monday 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Roseland, NJ with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Parents Support Group New Jersey, Inc., P.O. Box 221, West Orange, NJ 07052.
Born in Auburn, Massachusetts, Karol (with a “K”) was the daughter of Eunice Bylund, and the granddaughter of Gerda and Knute Bylund. With a childhood that moved her from Massachusetts to Virginia and back north to Westchester, N.Y., Karol began the love of one of her great passions – all things art - early in life. Gifted with a natural artistic talent, throughout her life Karol enjoyed creating paintings, silkscreens, collages, and sculptures – many of which adorn her colorful, welcoming and eclectic home.
In her late teens, she met the first love of her life, Timothy Patrick Sullivan of the Bronx. Double dates with dear friends Joan and Lou Sepe were followed by their marriage and the welcoming of three children Tom, Bill and Kate. Along the way, Karol supported Tim’s budding then successful career in finance as the founder of Gibraltar Securities. Successful in her own right, Karol was the co-founder and executive director for more than 30 years of Parents Support Group, NJ, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting the needs of parents and families impacted by the disease of addiction with a network of peer support groups for parents located throughout the state.
Resplendent with her style and grace, and quick with her wit and wicked sense of humor, Karol enjoyed traveling near and far with her beloved Tim and their many close friends; later in life with her best friends Michael Radice and James Rafael; and throughout her life with her children and five grandchildren. Trips to London, Italy, Naples, Florida, Pelican Island at the Jersey Shore and Disney World were among the favorite adventures they shared.
But it was with her grandchildren – Tim, Brad, Katie, Tyler and Olivia; the second great loves of her life – no matter where they were or what they were doing that she found the most joy. Dubbed “Fa” by her first grandson Tim, Karol was known for orchestrating and encouraging the making of kitchen concoctions that rarely resulted in anything edible but always elicited her praise. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MOMA, the Museum of Natural History, the NY Botanical Gardens, along with The Bronx and Turtle Back Zoos were other favorite haunts for Karol and her sidekicks, anything she could do to introduce them to and share with them the things she loved, igniting their interest in New York City, culture, history, fashion, gardening, adventure and whimsy.
Karol was predeceased by Tim, her beloved husband of 50 years – a couple which opened their hearts and homes with great spirit, warmth, generosity, philanthropy and love to so many. Also arriving at the dance before Karol were some of her very best friends, Michael Radice, Rev. Monsignor Robert F. Schriefer, and Michael Towers.
Carrying on her legacy, joie de vivre, and philosophy of “carpe diem” are her beloved children, grandchildren and extended family members; Thomas Sullivan, his son Tyler and Tyler’s mother, Janet McInteer; William Sullivan and his wife Jennifer and their children Tim, Brad and Katie; Kate Sullivan and her daughter Olivia; her dear friend, James Rafael; and her constant canine companions, Bean and Baby. Her family extends sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and healthcare providers of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, particularly Dr. Mark Kris and Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes, as well as Phoebe, May and Grace who provided great empathy and care to Karol in her home.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday from 3pm - 6pm in the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, shookfarmer.com. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Monday 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Roseland, NJ with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Parents Support Group New Jersey, Inc., P.O. Box 221, West Orange, NJ 07052.