Jean C. Sullivan

Jean C. Sullivan passed away suddenly on the evening of Jan. 12, 2016, at her home in Billings.

She was born in Butte, the first child of Arthur and Loretta (Sullivan) Ryan on Aug. 31, 1926. Jean attended Catholic schools in Butte, graduating from Girls Central High School in 1944; following high school, she worked several years for Christie Transfer and Storage in Butte and later in Great Falls.

Jean married Jerry Sullivan in Butte on Dec. 27, 1951. Jean and Jerry attended school together starting in the first grade; following their marriage, they lived in Great Falls for three years and then moved to Billings in 1954. Over the past 60-plus years, she was active in her parishes, St. Pius X and St. Thomas the Apostle. Jean was also a volunteer for many years at St. Vincent's Hospital with the coffee cart, she was a reading aide at Garfield School for 15 years, and worked in the library at Poly Drive School while her youngest son was a student.

Jean and Jerry were avid sports fans, beginning with a UM basketball game on their honeymoon and continued from there, following high school and college teams across the state. The games were really important when she had family or neighbors directly involved. In recent years, many Friday evenings were spent close to a radio, moving from station to station to keep up with various games.

Always up for an adventure, Jean, Jerry and two other couples, the Bishops and the Solomans, enjoyed traveling as a group. They had memorable trips to Ireland, Mexico, Panama Canal, along with trips to Arizona, Utah, California and within Montana. Given an opportunity to go, Jean was always ready.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Colleen of Whitefish; and three sons, Dan (Kay) of Great Falls, Larry of Helena and Jerry of Billings. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Tatarka of Billings and brother Jim Ryan of St. Paul, Minn., along with numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Jerry in 2007; and her in-laws, John Tatarka, Jack and Pat Sullivan, Geraldine and Jim Robinson and Father Joe Pat Sullivan.

Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2055 Woody Drive.

Memorials can be made to a charity of choice.