Frances Sullivan, 89, a 60-year resident of Oak Park, died on Jan. 16, 2025, at her home, much as she lived, surrounded by family and friends.
A farm girl from Mingo, Iowa, she was the third child of the Gannon family, known for their Democratic politics and public service. She enjoyed small-town life surrounded by her siblings: Mary-Alice (deceased), Teresa (deceased), Bill (deceased), and Joan. After graduating from Marycrest College in 1958, she moved to the big city, Chicago, determined to make the world a better place. There she met Monroe Sullivan, a social worker who shared her passion for peace and social justice, and they soon married, settling in Oak Park in 1964. They raised a boisterous household of four children: daughter K.T. Sullivan (Chris Bing), and sons John Sullivan (Vicki Scaman), Monroe Sullivan (Melissa), and Patrick Sullivan (the late Dawn). Fran and Moe were happily married 49 years before his death in 2008.
She thrived as an activist for peace, fair housing, women’s rights, gun safety, and good government, to name a few. She worked tirelessly for the causes she cared about, canvassing door to door, serving on multiple boards, attending countless meetings, raising money, working to make life better for all. Some of her most meaningful support was directed to St. Catherine-St. Lucy Parish, where she was a student mentor at the school, supported the computer lab and the new Neighborhood Bridge organization housed there.
A highlight was serving as a challenge delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention (where Shirley MacLaine spoke on her behalf). She was thrilled when feminist icons Gloria Steinem and Bella Abzug saluted her.
She helped create the Peace Museum in Chicago and Amate House, served as an independent voice and the only woman on the Triton Community College board, and spearheaded the campaign to restrict handguns in Oak Park. She served on the board of Family Services and Mental Health of OP-RF (now Thrive) and was a member of the League of Women Voters for 50 years. She supported local nonprofits, including Wednesday Journal (Growing Community Media), Beyond Hunger, Housing Forward, Sarah’s Inn, and the Oak Park Art League. Her support of the Children’s Dental Initiative of The Infant Welfare Society of Oak Park was inspired by her late father-in-law, who was a dentist. And she loved being part of the recently created Women Leaders in Philanthropy.
Starting in 1985, Fran and Moe began their love affair with Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The family eventually purchased two condos right on the ocean and spent every winter surrounded by family and friends, who were only too happy to make the schlep from wintry Chicago.
Her greatest gift was her ability to connect with people. She was a great neighbor, known for her warmth and involving others in the community, modeling her deep commitment to social justice and philanthropy. She played a mean game of online Scrabble and she was proud to be the oldest of the early morning swimmers at Ridgeland Common.
In addition to her four children, Fran is survived by her grandchildren, Casey, Leah, Gillian, Patty, Phoebe, Maggie, Mikey, and Leo and great-grandchildren Eleanor, Siena, and Claire; her sister, Joan; many nieces and nephews; and family friends Dave Stanger (Satish Prabhu), Cass Scaman, and her companion, Adam Santoro.
Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the causes she championed, and the enduring love of her family and friends.
A celebration of Fran’s remarkable life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 (with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.) at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church (38 N. Austin, Oak Park).
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Fran’s cherished causes to honor her enduring spirit of giving and to ensure that our community’s amazing nonprofits remain strong.