Memorial

Josephine Anne “JoAnne” O’Connell Sullivan, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday July 4, 2019, surrounded by her children.  Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday July 10, 2019 at St. Jude Catholic Church.  The Rev. Mark Murphy will officiate. Inurnment: Sacred Heart Cemetery in Walker. A visitation will begin with a vigil service at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and conclude with a Rosary at 8:00 p.m.

Survivors include her children; Linda (Gary) Bell of Eldridge, Gail Sullivan of Cedar Rapids, John (Maria) Sullivan of San Diego, California, Sharron (Randy) Dvorak, Gary Sullivan, Margaret (Broderick Miller) Hardiman all of Cedar Rapids, and David (Barbara) Sullivan of Marion, her sisters, Patricia Davis and Sister Brigid O’Connell and brother, Daniel O’Connell all of Cedar Rapids, her sisters-in-law, Margie O’Connell of Cedar Rapids and Kathy Craig of Hiawatha, her grandchildren, Melissa, Emily, Ricky, Brandon, Andrew, Miles, Esmeralda, Kyle, Brett, Brandon, Damon, Ramius, Demetrius, Cody, Chloe, Cailea, Genevieve and Veronica. Her great grandchildren; Kailynn, Liam, Ryland, Harper, Jace, Jaxon, Bryson, Embralynn, Willow, Ariana, Sawyer,  Lenyx, Cohen and and two others, anticipated in October and January. 

JoAnne was born on March 16, 1935 (St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Francis “Lee” and Mary (Murphy) O’Connell. She married John Sullivan on April 26, 1958 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fairfax. JoAnne worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, the Draft Board, in retail sales at Killian’s and Petersen Harned-Von Maur, and provided in home daycare. She was a charter member of St. Jude Catholic Church and National Catholic Society of Foresters. Her faith was very strong and was a central part of her life. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, gardening, singing and listening to music, and square dancing. 

She was preceded in death by husband, John, her parents, two sisters and two brothers. 

JoAnne’s family would like to thank the Hospice of Mercy Staff, who aided her daily. 

A memorial fund has been established.