Irenaeus ( MacDonald) Sullivan

It is with sadness that we announce the death of our beloved mother, Irenaeus (MacDonald) Sullivan, age 89, on August 16, 2025 at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax. She was the loving wife of the late Paul A. Sullivan, devoted mother, dear sister, sister-in-law, and friend of many. Irenaeus is survived by her children; Michael (Julie Dickson) of Ottawa, John (Jennifer Downie), Paula (Brian Layton), Brian, all of Halifax, and James of Vancouver, and sister-in-law, Maura Sullivan. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren; Roy and Summer Sullivan of Ottawa, Emily Worthen (Chris), Thomas Sullivan, Ian, Hugh (Maya Kovacs), and Stuart Layton all of Halifax, and Paula and Sophie Sullivan of Gibsons, BC, as well as two great grandchildren; Luca Worthen and Graham Layton of Halifax. Irenaeus was predeceased by her cherished husband, Paul Sullivan, and beloved son, Gregory Sullivan, her parents, Emily and John T. MacDonald, her in-laws Captain Roy and Agnes Sullivan, sister Joan Ryan, sister-in-laws Jean Sullivan and Joan Sullivan, and brothers-in-law Donald and Stuart Sullivan, and Leonard Ryan. Born in Sydney Mines, NS in 1936, Irenaeus grew up in Mulgrave,NS. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood spent skating, sledding,swimming, and biking with an abundance of friends. Irenaeus completed her high school education in Mabou, Cape Breton at St. Joseph Convent and then attended Mount St. Bernard College at St. Francis Xavier University, completing her studies at Mount St. Vincent College in Halifax. After working in Sydney, she moved to Halifax and worked at CFB Shearwater. Mom met her husband, Paul, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Social Club where they enjoyed dancing, theatrical productions, and met many of their future lifetime friends including many ladies whom would become the “knitting club”. Our kind, fun loving, and good-natured mother enjoyed her brood of six children and adored her nine grandchildren. Her cookie jar was always full and friends of all ages were always welcomed in our home on Beech Street. Starting from when their youngest children were preschoolers, our parents relished their annual couple vacation in Bermuda. At one time, Irenaeus drove her youngest, Jamie, to preschool before dropping off her eldest, Michael, at Saint Mary’s University! In her later years she treasured her cottage life at Piggott Lake with her family and grandchildren. As an active volunteer she was involved with Heart and Stroke campaigns, Meals on Wheels, and she especially loved her time at the Stork Shop at the IWK Grace Hospital. Mom was a member of the Altar Society at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and very involved in the CWL both there and at St. John the Baptist Parish. In the winter months, our parents enjoyed their time spent with the senior citizen skating club and had many trips abroad to Europe and Cuba. Their network of friends sprawled across the Maritimes and they loved meeting new people. Our mother was so attentive to our father, Paul, as his health declined even though she herself was beginning to show the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. She always put her family’s needs before her own. Our family would like to thank the staff of Melville Heights along with the second and sixth floor staff of St. Vincent’s Nursing Home for their care and attentiveness. Also, thank you to Dr. Peggy Leighton and Dr. Claire Nowlan for their support over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Halifax Meals on Wheels or a charity of your choice. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Good Shepherd Parish at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, 1725 Oxford Street, on Friday, August 22 at 10am with a reception to follow. Internment will occur at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Herring Cove, afterwards.

Irenaeus ( MacDonald) Sullivan

April 3, 1936 - August 16, 2025