January 19, 1940 ~ August 18, 2022
Roberta M. (Kelley) Sullivan, a long-time resident of Reading, August 18, 2022, at the age of 82.
Beloved wife of the late Richard L. Sullivan. Mother of Steven Sullivan and his wife Jennifer, Donna Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, and Paul Sullivan and his wife Paige.
Grandmother to Alec, Eliza, Aidan, and Riley. Sister of Elizabeth Perry and Aunt to her children Arthur, Graham, and Gretchen. She also had many nieces and nephews she adored from Chester, Connecticut, and Maryland.
She was the proud daughter of the late Arthur and Edith (Fontaine) Kelley.
Born in Boston, MA, Roberta attended Reading Public Schools and then St. Mary’s in Melrose. She graduated from Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield, MA as a proud member of the Class of 1958. After graduation, she went to work at the American Mutual Insurance Company as an insurance clerk, where she met the love of her life Richard Sullivan. They married in October 1960 and began their family In November of 1961 with the birth of Steven; in August 1963, Donna was born; in September 1966 Michael was born, and in October 1969, Paul was born.
Those who knew Roberta witnessed a person with a hunger for history. She was instrumental in the creation of the book titled “At Woodend,” the pictorial history of the Town of Reading commemorating the 350th year of the town, 1694-1994. She served on the board of the Reading Historical Commission for many years and saved many historical homes from demolition.
Roberta was also a dogged researcher, where she mastered genealogy. If given the assignment, she could track down your family tree in short order.
Her eyes always lit up whenever her grandchildren would enter the room. She simply adored her Alec, Eliza, Aidan and Riley. She was always quick to jump on the sewing machine to create a costume for Halloween, or hem some pants or alter a dress. She was very creative and talented. She tried to get to all of their milestone events. Celebrating birthdays was important to her. Always a celebration for Alec, Eliza and Aidan and then traveling to Florida for Riley’s birthday every year.
Roberta and Richard traveled to Canada for thirty-plus years during the summers in their RV, visiting relatives in Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland. Ferryland, Newfoundland was their second home, where they met so many people who became their Summer Family. Even after Richard passed, she traveled alone in the RV to continue the tradition.
Her greatest accomplishment in life was her family and making sure there was a wonderful home to always gather. She worked hard to make ends meet and always keep a home for her family.
Funeral from the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park Street, (Corner of Park St and Rte. 28) North Reading at Reading line on Friday, Aug. 26th at 9:15am. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading, MA at 10:30am. Relatives and friends may visit with the family in the Funeral Home on Thursday, August 25, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Interment at Wood End Cemetery, Reading, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Roberta M. Sullivan’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online.
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