Janet Sullivan

SULLIVAN, Janet Ann - Age 88, of Fenton, died June 15, 2020 at her home of natural causes after a long and full life.  Funeral services will be held 1 PM Friday, June 19, 2020 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. Visitation will be held 4-8 PM Thursday and 12 PM until the time of service Friday.

Janet was born July 15, 1931 in Flint, the daughter of Clarence Roscoe and Grace Lawson (Orr) Soper. She was a 1949 graduate of Flint Central High School, attended Flint Junior College graduating from Western Michigan Teachers College. Janet married Roger Barrett Sullivan on August 22, 1953 in Flint.  They resided initially in Ann Arbor where she began her career as an elementary school teacher.  They lived in Corpus Christi Texas and Ludington Michigan before returning to Flint.  She was hired by the Flint Board of Education and taught mathematics at Neithercut Elementary School for 30 years retiring in 1996.  At the end of her teaching career Janet owned and operated The South Flint Learning Center.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, her sister Margaret Mackey, her great grandson  Curren Baker and her nephews Patrick and Peter Murphy.  She is survived by her four children, Roger Barrett Jr. (Jeannette), Margaret (Barney) Martlew, Tim (Cathy) and Amy Sullivan; six grandchildren, Jim and Abby Martlew, Colleen, Sam (Katie) and Charlie Sullivan, Mary Sullivan; great granddaughter Shea Lynn Sullivan; and nephews and niece David and Daniel Mackey, Lynn and Tom Murphy.

Janet channeled her life long love for sewing to create clothing for her young family and then in later years turned her creativity into quilting wall hangings and wearable art.   Over the years she expressly designed and made quilts for all her grand children and many others.

Janet was also an avid knitter, sharing her skills with many.  She was passionate for gardening.  Through the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program she fulfilled the requirements necessary to become a Master Gardener and applied her creativity both to her gardens at home and in the community as a volunteer at Applewood Estate and the Fenton Open Gate Garden Club.

In honor of Janet’s life please make contributions to the American Lung Association or the charity of your choice.