It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Nellie "Nell" Ayraud Landry Sullivan of Wellesley Hills, on March 18, 2023. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Albert J. Sullivan, and her precious grandson, Brendan A. Sullivan. She is the beloved mother of Mark, of Norwell, Joel, (Sharon), of Westport, and Deanne of West Roxbury. She is the proud grandmother of Trevor Sullivan, (Kim) of Hull, and the adoring great grandmother of Giuliana Grace. She also leaves her dear sister, Carmen L. Rivere, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Nell was a courageous and passionate woman who, along with her husband, fought tirelessly for the rights of people with disabilities.Her oldest son, Mark, was denied many educational and other opportunities throughout his life, and his parents worked to change laws and policies, and to open doors for other families of children and adults with special needs.

The daughter of Henry and Nellie Landry, Nell was born in Louisiana, on February 26, 1922, the third of six children. At the age of eight, following the sudden death of her father, her mother moved the family to the town of Paincourtville. Along with her mother and siblings, Gracie, "Boo, "Ethel Mae, "Mamie," Henry, Carmen "Sis Sis," and Rudolph, "Rudy", Nell struggled with the challenges of growing up during the period of the Great Depression. Nonetheless, she enjoyed a happy childhood, surrounded by a generous and supportive extended family. During World War II Nell and her sister, Mamie lived in New Orleans and worked on a naval base, earning money to send back to their mother and the younger children. It was there that she met the love of her life, Albert "Sully" Sullivan.

Nell and Sully were married in New Orleans in 1944. At the end of the war, they moved to Boston to live with his family. It was in the Boston area that she and Sully made their family home. They shared a love of music and movement, and their ballroom dancing skills were legendary. With great frequency furniture would be pushed aside, the radio would be turned up, and Nell and Sully would glide across the living room floor.

Those who knew Nell well, would describe her as a spunky, outspoken, caring person. Her children remember her as a fair and tolerant woman who modeled kindness and taught them that human beings, despite their differences, should always be regarded without prejudice.

Nell's life will be celebrated in a liturgy of prayer and remembrance in St. John Chrysostom Church on Saturday April 1, at 10:30 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to

Main Street House

Road to Responsibility

725 Main Street

Norwell, MA, 02061

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