LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Edna M. Sullivan, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Edna M. Sullivan of Raleigh, New York, died on Friday, March
19, 2010, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts, to Pietro and Emily
Solari Sbrizze, Edna moved to Boston to attend business college and was
working for the United States Geodetic Survey when she met her husband-
to-be, Edward J. Sullivan, of Medford, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Edna and Edward married in 1936 and moved to New York, so he
could accept a position with Turner Construction Company; the couple
resided in several different towns due to his work but eventually
settled in White Plains, New York, where they lived for more than 60
years; and
WHEREAS, While their children were growing up, Edna returned to
college to become a laboratory technologist; she was employed in a
medical practice for many years; she also managed the books for a large
car dealership in Westchester, New York, and later was the White Plains
manager for her son's legislative office; and
WHEREAS, Edna M. Sullivan distinguished herself in her profession and
by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
her community; and
WHEREAS, Edna M. Sullivan's energetic dedication to community service
was reflected in the very broad spectrum of organizations where she
played a significant leadership role; she was an original founder of the
Westchester Homemakers Council, serving as Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she was Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer
of the Armonk Homemakers Community Unit and a member of the original
Home Bureau which eventually became the Westchester Cooperative Exten-
sion; and
WHEREAS, Edna M. Sullivan was a member of the Board of Directors of
the Cooperative Opportunity for the Economically Disadvantaged; through
this program, she helped develop exhibits for the Afro-American Cultural
Society Fairs; she was also a former director of the White Plains
Women's Club and served on their Annual Scholarship Bridge Committee;
and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Edna M. Sullivan was honored by the Board of Direc-
tors of the Westchester County Women's Club as their Woman of the Year;
and
WHEREAS, Edna M. Sullivan finally retired from full-time work at the
age of 80; she came to Raleigh, New York, to live closer to her daugh-
ter, and in 2000, was one of the first residents of The Heritage of
Raleigh, where she enjoyed many new friendships and activities, and
appreciated the freedoms of retirement living; and
WHEREAS, She loved to read, to challenge others in political
discussions and to dazzle them with her brilliance in so many areas;
Edna M. Sullivan was an NC Symphony volunteer, a volunteer knitter for
the babies at WakeMed, and a member of several committees at The Herit-
age; and
WHEREAS, A lover of life, Edna M. Sullivan made an impression on
everyone whose path touched hers; and

WHEREAS, Edna M. Sullivan's commitment to excellence, and her spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her parents and husband, her baby brother,
Peter Sbrizze; and great-granddaughter, Shannon Marie Dunn, Edna M.
Sullivan, is survived by her daughter, Patti (Steve) Sheriff; her son,
Peter (Sheila) Sullivan; her six grandchildren, Alison (Ethan) Davis,
Chris (Traci) Crookham, Amy (Ken) Collins, Cindy (Tom) Dunn, Greg (Jose-
phine) Sullivan, and Stephanie (Kevin) Teeling; and 15 great-grandchil-
dren, Emerson Davis, Ella Davis, Emily Crookham, Joseph Crookham, KC
Collins III, Stephanie Collins, Jacqueline Dunn, Erin Dunn, Brian Dunn,
Joseph Sullivan, Elizabeth Sullivan, Lieren Teeling, Eamon Teeling,
Fiona Teeling, and Roislyn Teeling; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Edna M. Sullivan leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Edna M. Sullivan, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Edna M. Sullivan.