Obituary of Marianna "Marti" Sullivan

Marianna “Marti” Sullivan, 68, of Madison, formerly of Short Hills, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 surrounded by her family. Relatives and friends are invited to “Words of Remembrance at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave, Short Hills on Tues, March 27th at 9:50 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10am. A Memorial Visitation will take place at St. Rose of Lima Church on Monday from 4-8 pm. Raised in Ardmore, PA, Marianna is a graduate of the School of the Holy Child, Rosemont, PA and Rosemont (PA) College. Later in life, she received a second B.A. (Interior Design) from Kean College. Marianna moved to New York City after college and worked for Ronaldo Maia Flowers. She lived in Short Hills for 36 years before moving to Madison three years ago. Marianna was renown for her love of entertaining, her insatiable desire to learn new things, her completely illegible "to do" lists for her children, her long voicemails and the way she decorated the house for every holiday/season/celebration. Following her diagnosis of Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in October 2015, Marianna was determined to live life to the fullest. She touched lives with her humor, grace and wit. Marianna refused to be a victim (and, loved using the phrase, "I don't have time to be negative, I'm Stage IV!"). She had everyone in awe of her courage, faith and fighting spirit. During the last 2.5 years, Marianna continued to do her favorite things: weekends in Bay Head with her love, Richard Welch; watching her grandchildren’s sports and school activities; traveling and checking-off her "Bucket List" (including trips to London, Ireland, Hawaii, Florida Keys, Paris and Utah); spending time with various friends (Lenten Group, high school, college, and shore friends); Short Hills and Madison Garden Clubs; Thursday Morning Club; various book clubs (she was a voracious reader and was even correcting her children's grammar on her final day); playing tennis, paddle and golf at Canoe Brook; yoga; and her passion for interior design (she was the owner of "Society Hill Interiors"). Marianna is predeceased by her father, Francis Hugh Kelley, and her mother, Marie Keaveney Kelley. She is survived by her children Kelley, Amanda, Ryan and Teddy, and grandchildren, Aidan and Caitlin. In lieu of flowers, donations to Project Purple (http://www.projectpurple.org/) would be appreciated. For more information or to send condolences please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com