Hilary Gidney Sullivan

On this Father’s Day, our mother and wife Hilary feels very much in our midst. We ache and are grateful for her life with us. Thank you for holding us in so many ways. We continue to need that support as we and other family and friends of Hilary seek consolation and a return to liveliness.

The funeral and memorial service were vital for us and a powerful experience of community. Mother Sue and sister Paige were here, along with Brian’s siblings and in laws, many cousins of the kids, and friends from Guelph and Hamilton. Parallel gatherings were held in Chicago (Northwestern classmates) and Hamilton (her Mohawk physiotherapy class). It was a joy to receive their love and to cry and celebrate together.

Your postings continue to be a central source of comfort and inspiration for us and many. Thank you and please contiue to visit and add. We close this entry with some words we wrote for Hilary as part of the funeral service:

“Our God, creator and sustainer, gives life and purpose. No one or thing is an idle thought or accident. You, Hilary, are no mistake. You are a unique and precious part of this unfolding universe, an enabler and upbuilder. Many have experienced this. Your ways reveal and delight.

You have fought hard to hold to your truth. It is a costly battle. Yet, as you take your place with your ancestors, there will be great blessings among you. We look to you, now one of those ancestors, to help manifest family love and order for those who remain here. We seek to know and experience how you are still powerfully with us and loving us for who we are and are becoming. We are all held in God’s family.”

• the order of service and songs from Saturday’s funeral
• photos from the wake at Sullivan home
• video footage from Sunday’s memorial