Cover photo for Blanche Sullivan's Obituary
Blanche Sullivan Profile Photo
1932 Blanche 2009

Blanche Sullivan

September 6, 1932 — April 17, 2009

Blanche C. Sullivan, loving wife of Roger W. Sullivan, passed away peacefully from complications of Alzheimers disease on Friday, April 17, 2009 at St. Johns Manor West in Woodland, California, with loved ones by her side. A resident of Davis for 45 years and mother of six children, Blanche was 76.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sept. 6, 1932 to James and Elizabeth Duggan, the youngest of five children (John, Virginia, James, and Mary Ellen), Blanche was raised in Cincinnati, where she received a Catholic education. She was awarded an academic scholarship and graduated from The Summit Country Day School.

After high school, Blanche met her future husband Roger on a blind date at a Sigma Chi Ball, and they married in 1953. In the early years of their marriage, Blanche and Roger and their growing family lived in Cincinnati and Munich, Germany, where Roger was stationed in the army. In 1963, the family relocated to Davis, California, where Roger began work as a hematologist at the UC Davis Primate Center.

After Blanche and Rogers youngest child entered school, Blanche went to work at JC Penneys in Woodland, California, where she was a dedicated and well-loved employee, supervisor and co-worker for 25 years; for many years before her retirement, she managed the Catalog Department. A people person known for her graciousness and good humor, Blanche touched many peoples lives.

A wonderful wife and mother, Blanche nurtured and inspired all her family with her kindness and loving affection, her radiant joy for life. Her family cherishes memories of her conversation, her love of nature, her ready laugh and buoyant spirit, her deep appreciation for the simple pleasures and beauties of life: camping trips to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, day trips to San Francisco, and nightly summer jaunts to the local Dairy Queen. She will be deeply missed.

Blanche is survived by her husband of 56 years, Roger Sullivan; her only living sibling, Mary Ellen Jacobs of Cincinnati; her six children, Kevin, Bill (Piper), Michael, Jane (David Gilhooly), Jim (Denise), and Anne (Bobbie Saltzman); her nine grandchildren, Heather (Brian Flood), Christopher, John, Haley, Thomas, Leslie, Sarah, Hannah, and Leah; her four great-grandchildren, Christopher, Delaney, Jordan, and Michael, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to thank all those who assisted with their mothers care. We offer a special thanks to Yolo Adult Day Center, St. Johns Manor West, and Yolo Hospice for their loving attentiveness and gentle care of Blanche.

A Rosary for Blanche will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 at Wiscombe Funeral Home, 116 D Street, Davis, CA, and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, at St. James Catholic Church, 1275 B Street, Davis, CA. All those who wish to attend are welcome.


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