Obituary of Mary Ann Sullivan

Mary Ann Sullivan, 88, of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Born in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ on November 23, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Carmela Caravaglia. She grew up in Wood-Ridge, NJ, graduated from Wood-Ridge High School, and attended Fairleigh Dickinson College, where she earned an associate’s degree.  

She met her husband, John, when they were both employed at Curtiss-Wright and began their 53-year journey.  In 1972, they ultimately settled in Basking Ridge and happily raised their three children. 

Mary Ann was a beloved wife, mother, sister, in-law, godparent, aunt, friend and neighbor, who lived to make things easier and happier for her family and those around her.  Throughout the years, she had many interests and activities, the favorites of which were tennis, golf, and bridge.  She was an avid competitor and favored partner of those who played with her.  In her spare time, she enjoyed reading and was drawn to books about strong women and different cultures.

Mary Ann will be best remembered as a kind, loving, family-oriented, self-sacrificing, and caring woman who was loved and cherished by all who knew her.

She is survived by her two daughters, Karen Sullivan and Barbara Henderson, both of Basking Ridge, and by her son, John Sullivan, and son-in-law, Peter Knize, both of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and was pre-deceased by her husband John Sullivan and her son-in-law Douglas Henderson, as well as by her five siblings.

Visitation with the family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 South Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to Saint James Church,in memory of Mary Ann Sullivan.