Obituary for Kathleen M. "Kay" Quinlivan (Sullivan)
Kathleen Mary “Kay” (Sullivan) Quinlivan, 89, of Shrewsbury MA, passed away in her home on February 24, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late John P. and Catherine (O’Day) Sullivan of Worcester.
Kay is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Bernard “Barney” Quinlivan and was mother to her devoted sons, Bernard (Annmarie), Mark (Andrea), Thomas (Maureen), John who predeceased her in 2020 (Karen), James (Karen) and Joseph (Kim). She also leaves her brother Jack Sullivan (Pam) and was predeceased by her sister Eleanor (Sullivan) Flynn and her brother Francis Sullivan. Kay will be profoundly missed by her 14 grandsons and 3 granddaughters: Patrick Quinlivan, Meghan Zawadzki, Sean Quinlivan, Brendan Quinlivan, Daniel Quinlivan, Jack Quinlivan, Anthony Quinlivan, Liam Quinlivan, Brian Quinlivan, Katherine Quinlivan, Michael Quinlivan, Jack Quinlivan, Kevin Quinlivan, James Quinlivan, Jaclyn Quinlivan, Sean Quinlivan, Patrick Quinlivan, five great-grandchildren as well as her many nephews and nieces. They all enjoyed their frequent lively visits with Kay. Every Saturday night throughout their 66-year marriage Barney and Kay could be seen at their favorite local restaurants, sharing a meal and many laughs with their closest friends.
Kay was a graduate of Commerce High School in Worcester and Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Worcester State University and a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Assumption College in Worcester. Kay started her 45-year nursing career as an ER Nurse at Worcester City Hospital and then became a Nursing Instructor at Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. Kay was also President of the Worcester City Hospital Nurses Association earlier in her career. Kay was immensely proud of her students who, in her subject, regularly performed at the top in the State in their Nursing Boards.
Whenever Kay or her family members ended up in one of the Worcester Hospitals, it was inevitable that former students would stop by and regale in the many stories of how Kay had impacted their lives and their fond memories of her as their teacher. The stories were always filled with tales of Kay’s humor, wit, irreverence and laughter as well as a strong belief in her students and their success.
Kay’s life was characterized by her boundless energy, smiles, Catholic faith, optimism and deep belief in her husband, sons and grandchildren as well as her nephews, nieces, and students. Her annual two-week trip to Hampton Beach with her husband, children, brothers, sisters, many nephews, nieces and family friends were a highlight of the year for Kay and the whole crew. Her yearly Christmas Eve celebration was also a favorite for 60+ years, her house filled with over 50 family members and close friends. Kay also enjoyed traveling in her retirement and ventured on multiple trips to Europe as well as a variety of U.S. cities. She cherished her regular lunches with her nieces Mary-lee (Flynn) Mattei and Kathy (Sullivan) Warnken.
Her vocation, in addition to nursing, was to bring out the best in people and do it with her classic selflessness, laughter, wit and a bit of flair. Kay and Barney had their six sons in seven years and while raising her sons Kay worked full-time and earned three college degrees. Her love for her family, energy, pursuit of learning and helping others succeed seemed to have no bounds.
Kay’s deep faith and strong conviction in our greater purpose was evident in how she lived her life. Kay was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Shrewsbury, MA. She was a long-time supporter of St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury; her father, husband and sons all being graduates. Kay was also a member of the AOH Club in Worcester, Shrewsbury Women’s Club, the Red Hat’s and Shrewsbury Garden Club.
Kay will be dearly missed by all, but her fearlessness, loyalty, liveliness, smile and spirit will live on in those she leaves behind.
Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday March 3, 2023 at the Britton Funeral Home 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA, and her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday March 4, 2023 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main. St Shrewsbury, MA, followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury MA.
The Family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Kay’s exceptional caregivers in her final year: Esther Richards, Linda Brennan, Crystal Clarke and Sarah Diaz. The family would also like to recognize Monsignor Michael Rose, who was especially compassionate with his regular visits to Kay and Barney during a most trying time.
One of Kay’s final wishes was to help find a cure for Adrenal Insufficiency something near and dear to Kay’s heart. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Kay-Q-Fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/Kay-Q-Fund), which was established in her name in order to continue to fund the recent hopeful progress in this area. (Search Go Fund Me: “Kay-Q-Fund")
Kay is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Bernard “Barney” Quinlivan and was mother to her devoted sons, Bernard (Annmarie), Mark (Andrea), Thomas (Maureen), John who predeceased her in 2020 (Karen), James (Karen) and Joseph (Kim). She also leaves her brother Jack Sullivan (Pam) and was predeceased by her sister Eleanor (Sullivan) Flynn and her brother Francis Sullivan. Kay will be profoundly missed by her 14 grandsons and 3 granddaughters: Patrick Quinlivan, Meghan Zawadzki, Sean Quinlivan, Brendan Quinlivan, Daniel Quinlivan, Jack Quinlivan, Anthony Quinlivan, Liam Quinlivan, Brian Quinlivan, Katherine Quinlivan, Michael Quinlivan, Jack Quinlivan, Kevin Quinlivan, James Quinlivan, Jaclyn Quinlivan, Sean Quinlivan, Patrick Quinlivan, five great-grandchildren as well as her many nephews and nieces. They all enjoyed their frequent lively visits with Kay. Every Saturday night throughout their 66-year marriage Barney and Kay could be seen at their favorite local restaurants, sharing a meal and many laughs with their closest friends.
Kay was a graduate of Commerce High School in Worcester and Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Worcester State University and a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Assumption College in Worcester. Kay started her 45-year nursing career as an ER Nurse at Worcester City Hospital and then became a Nursing Instructor at Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. Kay was also President of the Worcester City Hospital Nurses Association earlier in her career. Kay was immensely proud of her students who, in her subject, regularly performed at the top in the State in their Nursing Boards.
Whenever Kay or her family members ended up in one of the Worcester Hospitals, it was inevitable that former students would stop by and regale in the many stories of how Kay had impacted their lives and their fond memories of her as their teacher. The stories were always filled with tales of Kay’s humor, wit, irreverence and laughter as well as a strong belief in her students and their success.
Kay’s life was characterized by her boundless energy, smiles, Catholic faith, optimism and deep belief in her husband, sons and grandchildren as well as her nephews, nieces, and students. Her annual two-week trip to Hampton Beach with her husband, children, brothers, sisters, many nephews, nieces and family friends were a highlight of the year for Kay and the whole crew. Her yearly Christmas Eve celebration was also a favorite for 60+ years, her house filled with over 50 family members and close friends. Kay also enjoyed traveling in her retirement and ventured on multiple trips to Europe as well as a variety of U.S. cities. She cherished her regular lunches with her nieces Mary-lee (Flynn) Mattei and Kathy (Sullivan) Warnken.
Her vocation, in addition to nursing, was to bring out the best in people and do it with her classic selflessness, laughter, wit and a bit of flair. Kay and Barney had their six sons in seven years and while raising her sons Kay worked full-time and earned three college degrees. Her love for her family, energy, pursuit of learning and helping others succeed seemed to have no bounds.
Kay’s deep faith and strong conviction in our greater purpose was evident in how she lived her life. Kay was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Shrewsbury, MA. She was a long-time supporter of St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury; her father, husband and sons all being graduates. Kay was also a member of the AOH Club in Worcester, Shrewsbury Women’s Club, the Red Hat’s and Shrewsbury Garden Club.
Kay will be dearly missed by all, but her fearlessness, loyalty, liveliness, smile and spirit will live on in those she leaves behind.
Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday March 3, 2023 at the Britton Funeral Home 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA, and her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday March 4, 2023 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main. St Shrewsbury, MA, followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury MA.
The Family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Kay’s exceptional caregivers in her final year: Esther Richards, Linda Brennan, Crystal Clarke and Sarah Diaz. The family would also like to recognize Monsignor Michael Rose, who was especially compassionate with his regular visits to Kay and Barney during a most trying time.
One of Kay’s final wishes was to help find a cure for Adrenal Insufficiency something near and dear to Kay’s heart. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Kay-Q-Fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/Kay-Q-Fund), which was established in her name in order to continue to fund the recent hopeful progress in this area. (Search Go Fund Me: “Kay-Q-Fund")