Esther Joan Sullivan

Esther Joan Sullivan (nee Wholley) passed away on April 17, 2024, in Melrose, MA, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication to her family. Esther was born on November 21, 1933, in Malden, MA, to James W. Wholley and Marion (Flynn) Wholley. She was the youngest of six children, she had 3 brothers, Thomas, James, and Joseph and two sisters Elinor and Barbara, who all passed before her.

Esther graduated from Everett High School. She went on to work as a Mortgage Officer in the banking industry, where she touched the lives of many with her professionalism and kindness.

Prior to the Pandemic she was well known for her love of music and she could often be found at karaoke, piano bars and dancing, where she was a dynamo who found and shared joy all her life. Many didn't know that since the age of 17 she had lived that full and active life with only 1 working lung due to tuberculosis, for which she was hospitalized for a year during her Senior year at Everett High School.

Esther valued family above all else; her personality was defined by the love she had for her loved ones. She created a warm and welcoming home for her family, where cherished memories were made and will be forever treasured. A faithful parishioner of  Immaculate Conception Church in Everett and then of Blessed Sacrament Church of Saugus, Esther found solace and strength in her faith throughout her life. 

She was the beloved wife of the late George Sullivan. She is survived by her loving son, Paul Sullivan, daughter-in-law Lillian Sullivan, grandson James Sullivan, granddaughter Brianna Sullivan, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer St., Saugus at 11:30 AM. Interment, Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.Esther had supported this cause since Danny Thomas began raising money to build this fine institution in the 1950's.