Patricia and family
I will forever remember your mothers spunk and sense of humor. She will be missed by the Staff and residents of Willowbend Retirement Community.
Sincere condolences
Liette Jodouin
SULLIVAN, Louise Conway
1933 - 2023
SULLIVAN, Louise Conway
August 12, 1933 - June 5, 2023
Louise Conway Sullivan (nee Proulx)
Louise passed away at a time and place of her choosing on June 5, 2023. Forever in control.
She is survived by her children Michael (Darlene McGuirl deceased), Julie and Patricia (David Lalonde), her grandson Sam Lalonde, sisters-in-law Geraldine (Bubbles) Sullivan, Teresa Moore, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, brother and sisters, husband Edwin (Ed) Sullivan and longtime friends Vic Horsman and Alex Johnston.
She was born Catherine Louise Conway, in St. Eugene, Ontario to Hugh Conway and Catherine Hoysted. When Louise's mother died a few weeks after giving birth, Louise was adopted by her mother's cousin, Alice Proulx, of Ottawa, and became Louise Conway Proulx. Hugh had a farm and 5 children under the age of 8. Hugh relied on his extended family and the children's grandmother, Alice Kelly aka Gram, for help. It was an unusual adoption for the times. Alice was a member of the family, a nurse, single, and lived with her parents which may explain why the adoption was allowed to proceed. It was also what we now call an open adoption; Louise grew up knowing her brother Vincent and her sisters Mary, Teresa, and Frances by spending time in the summers at her father's farm.
The Proulx family believed in a bilingual education. Louise attended grade school in French at Ecole St. Pierre on Friel Street and Lisgar Collegiate high school in English. Sacre Coeur was her grade school church and St. Joseph's her church when attending school in English. She began her working career at Trans-Canada Airline where she met and then married Ed Sullivan. Ed moved in with the Proulx family. The first two children arrived and, also lived at the Proulx house on Osgoode Street. At one point, there were 4 generations living in the house.
Ed's career took the family to London, Ontario, Niagara Falls and back to Ottawa. Ed's passion for the outdoors took the family to Partridge Lake (Lac a la Perdrix). Louise could frequently be seen heading down the lake in a canoe to break up the beaver dam.
Louise, over several years, worked for the Canadian Census, various elections and as an aid at the John Butler school for handicapped children. Her volunteer career started at CHEO in the 70's and ended at the Ottawa General Hospital in 2020. Her volunteering only ended due to Covid-19 restrictions. Louise received two awards for her volunteer service: Volunteer of the Year Award at Tapestry House and Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for her over 35 years of service as a team advocate and ability to resolve issues in the emergency department at the Ottawa General Hospital.
Thanks to all the people who helped care for Louise at the General Hospital, Bayshore Homecare and Willowbend Retirement home.
Celebration of life will be held at the Orleans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Drive, Orleans on Friday August 11, 2023, 5- 9 pm. A private interment will occur on Louise's birthday, August 12, at Notre Dame Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be a charity of your choice or get out and volunteer.
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