Eleanor Mary Sullivan

Eleanor Mary Sullivan, wife of UNM Professor Emeritus Donald David Sullivan for 53 years, passed away in Denver, Colorado on November 15, 2017 at the age of 80 - less than 6 months from the date Don passed away. She was born Eleanor Mary Wall on April 16, 1937 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the youngest child of Hon. Lucius John Wall and Theresa Eleanor Finnell Wall. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Sullivan and her eldest brother, Lucius “PQ” Wall of New Orleans. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, her older brother Deacon James R. Wall and his wife Joey in Denver, sister-in-law Ellen Wall in New Orleans and many dear nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Eleanor spent her childhood in Sioux Falls, SD where her father served as States Attorney and then Circuit Judge for seventeen years. The Wall family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1951 where Eleanor attended Loretto Heights College, transferring in her junior year to Marquette University where she received a B.A. in English and education. Eleanor returned to Denver in 1959 to teach English, French and Music in the Denver public schools where she met the love of her life, Don Sullivan, teaching in the classroom next door. They were married in 1964 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. They started a family and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1969 where they raised three children and were members of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish for 50 years. Don taught history at the University of New Mexico for 31 years -- medieval, Renaissance and the history of Christianity. Eleanor returned to the classroom, received her M.A. at the University of New Mexico and taught English and various seminars in the Great Books in the gifted program at SandiaHigh School and, prior to that at St. Pius X High School. As descendants of Irish farmers, Don and Eleanor prized their faith, their family and education throughout their lives. Don, Eleanor and their children took a family trip to Ireland in 1998, following paths of genealogy, walking in the steps and kneeling in the churches of the counties and parishes of generations past. Don & Eleanor took great delight in the accomplishments of their three children and their families: Donald J. and wife Teresa and sons Dominic and Donnie; Theresa M. Sullivan Mooney and husband Dan and daughter Roisin Eleanor; and James K. and wife Julie. A Visitation and Recitation of the Rosary will be held Sunday, November 19, 2017, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Horan and McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood CO. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 10am at All Souls Catholic Church, 4950 South Logan Street, Englewood, CO. Burial will take place on Wednesday November 22, 2017 in Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Eleanor’s name to Catholic Charities NM, 2010 Bridge Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 or www.ccasfnm.org. Please share memories of Eleanor, and condolences for her family, by signing the guestbook below.