Janet E. (Sullivan) O’Leary

Lansing, Michigan.

The woman who gave us joy, laughter, love and life has passed. Janet Elaine Sullivan O’Leary, 85, died peacefully on October 6, 2018, surrounded by her devoted husband of 63 years and her loving children. She was born to John Kress Sullivan and our beloved Elsie Sullivan in South Orange, New Jersey on March 23, 1933, and lived most of her life in Lansing, Michigan where she met her husband David John O’Leary. They married in 1956 and raised seven children.

She strived to develop seven unique individuals and she did. They are John (Judy) O’Leary, Dan (Amee) O’Leary, David (Kathy) O’Leary, Mike O’Leary, Kathleen (Steve) Michael, Joan (Dave) Johnson, Chris (Kelley) O’Leary. And her 18 grandchildren and their children.

To know Janet is to know she was intent on not taking life too seriously. Every holiday was a game, every car ride was a race (against the other family car). She held a newborn as if it were an extension of her arm. She enjoyed any opportunity, appropriate or not, to play jokes. You never left her house without getting waves from the back door to the front, and every window in between.  Our home was full of music, laughter and a lifetime of rhymes. For that we are eternally grateful.

Please join us in remembering this unique and incredible soul. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Street in Lansing. A visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw, as well for one half hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to REACH Art Studio, 1804 S. Washington Street, Lansing, Michigan, 48910.