Gertrude V. “Ginger” Sullivan

Gertrude V. “Ginger” Sullivan of Waltham died at home on Thursday, May 21, 2026. She was 88.

Born in Boston on February 18, 1938, she was the daughter of the late John F. and Gertrude V. (Gleason) Sullivan. One of three siblings, she grew up with her brother Jack and sister Kathleen. Due to her father’s service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, she lived in several locations during her early years, including Hollywood, Florida, and Malden, Massachusetts, but always returned to the place most special to her family, down the Cape, at Popponesset Beach where she graduated from Falmouth High School.

She moved to Waltham in 1988 from Medford to be closer to family and appreciated living in the same neighborhood as her siblings. After attending Salem State College, Ginger worked as a secretary in the energy industry, spending 29 years with Exxon Corporation in Everett before retiring in 1999.

She valued time spent with her family, including many summers at the Sullivan family’s Cape house on Popponesset Beach in Mashpee. She also enjoyed traveling with her family over the years. She especially enjoyed gathering with family on Christmas Eve. Ginger was well known for her Irish bread, a specialty she proudly baked and shared with family and friends, though she never revealed the recipe.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John Francis “Jack” Sullivan II; her sister, Kathleen DeSantis; her nephews, Scott and Eric DeSantis; and her loving dog, Kiki.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Anne E. Sullivan of Waltham, and her nieces and nephews: Mark (Maura) Sullivan of Wilmington, Kathy Collura of Bedford, Eileen Sullivan of Waltham, Carole Birse of Merrimack, New Hampshire, Beth (Stephen) Repoza of Auburn, New Hampshire, John Duff (Allison) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Mary (Tony) Barnea of Stratham, New Hampshire. She also leaves many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Cemetery, 1 Fenwick Street, Framingham.