Obituary: Norma M. Sullivan

Norma M. Sullivan, at 87

Norma M. Sullivan, 87, passed away peacefully at Grand Villa of Sarasota on April 1, 2024. She was born in Boston on July 4, 1936 to the late Francis L. Ryan and Mildred (England) Ryan, both of Cambridge. Ms. Sullivan attended Cambridge schools and spent glorious summers at the family cottage in Hull.

Ms. Sullivan met her husband, Robert V. Sullivan on Nantasket Beach in 1950.This marriage produced three loving children and many memorable times. Norma’s second marriage was to Archie Berkovitz, a Hull icon, whose good humor and sense of adventure led to travel and fun times. Norm and Archie spent many days sunning and shelling on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Ms. Sullivan took pride in her work and was a successful restaurateur. She started waiting on tables at Hugo’s Lighthouse in the early ‘60s and ended her career owning her own restaurant, The Cafe on Dearborn, in Englewood, Florida.

She is survived by three children, Donna M. Sullivan of Napa, California, Robert V. Sullivan of Hull, and Susan M. Sullivan of Warwick R.I.; three grandchildren, Autumn Zerendow of Yarmouth Port, Peter A. Petrillo of Cambridge, and Robin S. Petrillo of Stratford, Connecticut. She is survived by many special nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends from her many travels. She also is survived by her companion of 11 years, Barry G. Dosick of Englewood. She was predeceased by her siblings, Jacqueline Greeley of Weymouth, Frances Evans of Hull, and Tom Ryan of Winthrop. Her siblings meant the world to her and they were loving and loyal to each other to the end.

Ms. Sullivan was a great dancer and could shell a lobster in record time. She also enjoyed listening to Harry Belafonte, watching the Kennedy Center Honors, and a strong V.O. and water.

Funeral services are private. Interment will be in Hull Village Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in the summer, close to Ms. Sullivan’s birthday. It was her favorite time of the year.