Mrs. Vera Lorraine Sullivan of Mount Vernon, WA died at her daughter's Seattle residence on Friday, November 5th, 2010. Vera battled cancer bravely, with a strong spirit and passion for life. Vera was born on April 8th, 1937 in Mt Vernon, WA. She attended Burlington Edison High School and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Washington in 1960, with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She began her career teaching Home Economics in Raymond, WA and later she taught at Burlington Edison High School. It was in Skagit County where she fell in love with, and married George Dewey Sullivan, Jr. on August 17th, 1963. Vera spent the better part of her life raising, caring for, and mentoring eight children. However, no matter how busy her life as a mother was, she always had time and energy for her beloved Immaculate Conception Church and School. As her children grew into adulthood, Vera shifted her focus from being a housewife and caregiver, to the role of community activist and steward. She began as a passionate volunteer in the field of drug and alcohol prevention awareness in Skagit County, and this later segued into a career. She retired in 2001. Throughout her life Vera was involved in the Swinomish Yacht Club, Toastmasters, Kiwanis, the Red Hat Society, Salem Village and numerous other organizations. Vera enjoyed traveling to visit family in Japan, Finland, Denmark, Indiana, Ohio and locally in Washington. In her spare time, she loved to sew, bake, read mystery novels, attend musicals at the 5th Avenue Theater, go boating in the San Juans with her family, and spend time with family and friends. Vera and her husband, George, also loved to attend Husky football games. Those who knew Vera will remember fondly her beautiful smile, kind heart, unending patience and amazing artistic ability. Vera is survived by her eight children: Dorothy Rajcich (Aberdeen, WA), Lorraine Hellum (Seattle, WA), George Sullivan, III (Indianapolis, IN), Mary Pittman (Manson, WA), Nancy Griffith (Kent, WA), Daniel Sullivan (Seattle, WA), Patricia Froelich (Indianapolis, IN) and Peggy Jayarama (Tumwater, WA), their spouses and thirteen grandchildren. Vera was preceded in death by husband George Dewey Sullivan Jr. in 1993. Services will be held on Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, in Mt Vernon, WA. A reception will follow at Immaculate Conception School. Vera will be buried at Holyrood cemetery next to her husband, George. In lieu of flowers, Vera has requested that donations be made to the Immaculate Conception School Tuition Assistance Fund. The family would like to thank the numerous friends and family members that have been so thoughtful and generous to Vera and her family over the years, especially during the last few years of Vera's life.