In Loving Memory of
Dorothy R. Sullivan
June 7, 1926 - March 29, 2005

Dorothy was lovingly devoted to God and her family. - Mary Beth Foral, mother

Ever unfolding, like Angel's radiant wings, is the Heavenly Song and Prayer that a Mother in Heaven now sings... - Jim Radachi

Despite suffering her whole life with depression, she devoted herself to her faith and family. - Maggie Sullivan

To Mom - Thank you for so many things...for so many gifts passed to me... for lessons learned...for inspiration to make my life better despite obstacles... for showing me that there is such greatness in small, simple kindnesses and finally for loving me despite my own limitations. Love always.
     - Maureen Christiansen, daughter

My mother, Dorothy Ruth Sullivan was a wife, a mother of 7 children, a sister to 10 siblings, a daughter, a nurse, a friend, and someone who battled depression. Her fight with depression would worsen, lessen, and then worsen again. That is the nature of this debilitating disease. The Bell of Hope Memorial for my mother is to bring awareness to the disease of depression in the hope that others may find help and understand those afflicted with depression. Many believe that depression is the inability to “cope” and a character defect. It is not. Depression is not something you can just "snap out of." It's caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, along with other factors. Like any serious medical condition, depression needs to be treated. I lived part of my own life believing she could “get out of it” until, I too, felt the sheer terror of depression. It was then that I realized that my mother did the best she could with what she was given.

Although my mother did not have the quality of life that I would have wished for her in the last few years, she continued to live life as best she could. In recent months she made phone calls to friends, she attended religious services if possible, asked her priest to provide communion as often as he could, visited with family, and read. She attempted to exercise her body as well as her mind, but sometimes, due to her depression, it appeared that she could not or would not do these things she so loved. Her disease, at times, paralyzed her but with the loving help of family, friends, and doctors she weathered the deep depressions that she encountered most of her life. She suffered many years and despite several hospital stays and even being committed against her will, she continued to devote her life to God, her Catholic Faith, and to her family.

At the loss of my father nearly 21 years ago, she battled her depression even more. My parents raised 7 children on a pauper’s salary, yet we never went without. My father used to say about his family, “I am a rich man, and some day I may even have money.” She was a strong woman, but not strong enough to fight the disease of depression. Diagnosed later in life, my parents did what they could to treat the disease. Many times the only treatment my father and family could offer was tender loving care. In more recent years, my siblings tried to find new medications, doctors, therapists, etc. However, too many years of untreated depression seemed to have made a permanent imprint on my mothers psyche. She felt she would never overcome her depression.

We all loved my mother very much, but our love for her alone could not cure her depression. We tried, but were unable to offer her the relief that she so needed and wanted. The disease has no cure and only cocktails of medications seem to offer any reprieve from its powerful grip. At times it appeared she would experience periods of relief only to fall back, once again, into the mire of that deep depression where no one could reach her.

It is love and understanding that aids those afflicted with depression. For by themselves they are unable to live their life to the fullest. We thank you for donating and reading our dedication to our mother and for providing support to our family.
     - Erin Sullivan, Daughter

April 22, 2005, your son, Mike got married to Julie. It was a beautiful service and you and Dad were honored in it. The sun beamed into the church several times during the ceremony and we know it was you and Dad giving your blessing. It's only been a few weeks that you are gone but your presence is felt by us all. I know you are with Dad, the love of your life, and both of you can watch over us. Help us to see God's will for us and give us the power to carry that out. We miss you.
     - Maggie Sullivan

May 8, 2005: Happy Mother's Day, Mom. We miss you dearly...this is our first mother's day without you. MB, She, and I all spent the day together then visited your grave. Thank you for all my wonderful siblings. We love you and miss you.
     - Erin

I am making a monthly contribution in your name to fight the devastating disease of depression. i thnk i know how much you suffered, yet you were able to raise 7 children and see to it that we all look forward to bright futures. i hope you are proud of us. without you, none of us would be here. i pray that you are with Dad, as you were the love of his life and that the two of you look down on us everyday and smile. Tears come only when i think of all the things i didn't do that i could have done to help you. i was the best daughter i knew how to be but you deserved the best. please forgive me.
     - Maggie Sullivan

Today, June 7, would have been your birthday. I am comforted by the fact you are with dad and having the best celebration imaginable. As we make plans for our Sullivan family vacation, we remember you. Your position is empty and cannot be filled. Tears come but I am comforted knowing you are not in pain and suffering any longer.
     - Maggie Sullivan

June 7, 2005: Hapy Birthday, Mom. You would have turned 79 today. I still miss you dearly and think about you every day.
     - Erin Sullivan

Mom, most of us are together in omaha for a reunion. you are missed. i am thankful that in your later years you were blessed with good mental health for a time. you so deserved it. i pray that you are supremely happy now and look down with favor on all your children and their children. we love and miss you.
     - Maggie Sullivan

I think of you every day. I wish you were here. You produced a wonderful family. They are strong, loving, and generous.
     - Anonymous

you taught me how to sew. you baked special birthday cakes when i was very young. you read me stories and sang to me. you were the only one awake to say goodbye when i left for california. for all these things, i thank you.
     - Anonymous

At this time of year I remember you baking cookies for the holidays. Mexican wedding cakes, stollen, spritz cookies and many other kinds. You made them all for us. You were the only one who liked fruitcake. We all so looked forward to your goodies. This will be our first Christmas without you. You are dearly missed.
     - Anonymous

i thought of you when i saw a lady who was moving a little slower and having difficulty keeping up. i wished that you could have had so many more happy, undepressed days. i know you did the best you could possibly do given your condition but i did not always give you the credit you deserved. and i feel guilty and i ask you to forgive me. you couldn't help it that you were so sick. and i wasn't always very understanding. since you've been gone, i have had a chance to remember all the lovely things you did for me and my siblings. i never thanked you enough.
     - Margaret Sullivan