Ruth Anne (Gillis) Sullivan, age 79, of Medford passed away on Tuesday, November 21st, at Brightview Assisted Living of Arlington. Born in Brighton, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (MacKinnon) Gillis. Ruth graduated from Mass General School of Nursing in 1965 and was employed as a day surgery nurse at Mount Auburn Hospital. She also worked as an operating room nurse at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, where she made lifelong friends.
Ruth was a tireless caregiver to her husband during his long illness. She loved being a mom, and really enjoyed being a grandmother of four. She would offer a cup of tea to anyone who came through the door. Ruth loved singing in the choir at St Joseph's Church in Medford, and was always willing to bake her delicious chocolate cake for any event or fundraiser.
Ruth was the beloved wife of 51 years to the late Charles V. Sullivan, Jr., and the devoted mother of Charles Sullivan of Ipswich and his wife Sandra, Mike Sullivan of Plymouth and his wife Paula, and Jennifer Sullivan of Medford. She was the loving grandmother of Jason, Jessica, Shannon and Alison, and the dear sister of Edie DeMeo and her husband Jim of Somerville, Sarah McGuire of Cleveland, OH, Mary McGreal and her husband Al of Stoneham, and the late John Gillis, Joan Elliott, Neil Gillis and Donald Gillis. Ruth is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday, November 30th, from 4 through 8 PM in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Funeral Friday, December 1st from the funeral home at 10:30 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High St., Medford, at 11:30 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Ruth’s name to the Medford Public Library, online at www.friendsofmedfordlibrary.org (click on Get Involved, then Donate).