Gertrude E. (Herrmann) Sullivan

Waltham - Mrs. Gertrude E. (Herrmann) Sullivan died Sunday, January 4, 2026 in Meadow Green Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with her family at her side. She was 98.

Beloved wife of the late Lawrence P. Sullivan († February 9, 2011). 

She leaves her seven children, Loretta F. DeKay (Lloyd) of White Salmon, Washington, Linda M. Garrity (late Michael) of Jamaica Plain, Mark R. Sullivan of Waltham, Anne T. Sullivan (Don Winans) Baltimore, Maryland, Mary P. Stern (Matthew) of Millburn, New Jersey, Janet E. Richards (David) of Tijeras, New Mexico and Carol A. Smith (late Paul) of Ipswich; her grandchildren, Keara Dekay ( Josh Latham), Alina McKevitt ( Conor), Kevin Garrity ( Heather), Patrick Garrity, Ryan Garrity (Becky) the late Liam Sullivan, Layla Sullivan ( Brian Murphy), Sydney Stern, Paul Richards and Faye Spruance (Dylan), her bonus grandchildren, Melissa Crowley (deceased), Erin Crowley (Michael Galvin), Bobby Crowley, and Alicia Smith; her great-grandchildren Dylan, Maisie, Riley, Dana, Liam, Sloane and Donal; sister of William Herrmann (late Elaine) of Watertown and the late Elsie J. Hartling (late Neil) and Mary Dwyer (late Daniel); also survived by sister-in-law Marilyn Sullivan (age 101) and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Gertrude (also known as Gert, Gertie, and Trudy) was born September 6, 1927 in Everett, MA to German immigrants Frances (Koppelkamm) and Henry Herrmann. She grew up in Allston, the eldest of four, attended St. Anthony’s School and won a scholarship to Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy, graduating in 1945. Her excellent grades could have led her to college, but she chose to work at Shawmut Bank to help her family. Later in her life, she returned to school to study nursing and was an LPN at Waltham Hospital.

On September 8, 1951, Gert joined the Sullivan clan when she married Larry in Saint Anthony's Church in Allston and moved to Brighton. A few years later, they moved their growing family to the Waltham suburbs, where they were ‘pioneers’ of the new Willow Grove development on Potter Rd. They raised their seven children in that typical 50’s Kool-Aid gang neighborhood, with Lowell Field and Bright School just a block away. She and Dottie Mula were the two remaining ‘originals’ in recent years, with several of the next generation still in the neighborhood. She loved living on the corner where the school bus stops, so she could watch the antics of the children who now live there now.

Family was first, and Gert made sure hers got plenty of cousin time. She grew up without any cousins, so she and Larry made sure the Sullivans, Hartlings, and Dwyers remained close. When grandchildren came along, Grandma was there for them (and their moms). Caring for her loved ones in their final days was also part of who she was. For her mother at her home in Allston and at a care facility, and later for her father, for brother-in-law Richard, and for Larry in the family home, she was there to give comfort on their final journeys.

Gert was an accomplished seamstress and knitter, a creative cook who could stretch a Sunday roast into several ‘leftovers’ meals, and easily mastered new skills in the adult education classes she took over the years, including millinery, cake decorating, woodworking, Women on Wheels, and line dancing. She volunteered at the Massachusetts LPN association and Meals on Wheels. She was a communicant at St. Jude’s Church from its beginning, and a proponent of the school that her three youngest daughters attended. She also volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing communion to residents of Marist Hill, and escorting those who were able across the street to Sacred Heart Church. Travel was a big part of their life in retirement, with trips to Europe, around the US, and to time shares in Florida, Virginia, and Aruba. When travel was no longer possible, adventures with Rick Steves took her around the world.

The family is so grateful for the love and attention from her caregivers Siobhan Underhill and Veronica McDonough, without whom she could not have stayed in her home as long as she did. After moving to Meadow Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center in June 2024, she received excellent care from her favorites, especially Lorna, Chris, David, Ezra, and Salma.

Family and friends will honor and remember Gertrude’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, January 8th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to St. Jude’s Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.

To watch a broadcast of Gert's Funeral Mass please visit: https://saintjudewaltham.org/streaming

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or Meals on Wheels Program | Council on Aging | William F. Stanley Senior Center, 488 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02452.