Browse the obituary of residing in the province of T-N for funeral details
Alice Marie Sullivan (nee Pumphrey) passed away June 20th, 2023 at the Health Sciences
Centre in St. John’s, NL. She had been surrounded by the love and care of family in the time
spent there before her passing.
Alice is predeceased by her parents, James Pumphrey (Carbonear) and Eileen Pumphrey (nee
George, Carbonear) and by siblings Jack Hearn (Joan, Corner Brook), Ron Hearn (Carbonear),
Anna Pumphrey (Carbonear), James (Bobby) Pumphrey (Martha, Greenwood, NS) and Eddy
Pumphrey (Carbonear).
Left to mourn are her husband Brendan Sullivan (Carbonear) and her three children – Charlene
Sullivan (Chelsea, QC), Michelle Mackey (Doug, Annapolis Valley, NS) and Brent Sullivan (Tara,
Truro, NS). There were no limits to her love of her family and we have all benefited by her
sacrifices and unwavering, unconditional love. She would do anything for her family and we
knew it.
Alice’s seven grandchildren were deeply loved and will miss her dearly. Katherine Belley
(Shawn, Chelsea, QC), Matthew Belley (Chelsea, QC), Benjamin Mackey (Annapolis Valley,
NS), Peter Mackey (Toronto, ON), Jenna Sullivan, Aiden Sullivan and Jack Sullivan (Truro, NS).
Alice was delighted to learn of her first great grandchild while in hospital, baby Zacharie
Matthew Miller (Chelsea, QC).
As well, she is survived by and will be profoundly missed by siblings Billy Pumphrey (Betty,
Edmonton, Alberta), Margaret Butt (Will, Carbonear), Mary Somers (Harry, Salisbury NB), Stella
Dakins (Fred, Carbonear) and Jerry Pumphrey (Barbara, Carbonear).
In hospital Alice reiterated her love of all her family, on both sides. Her nieces and nephews and
their families were so very loved. She wanted to ensure this was expressed.
Alice studied at Littledale College and became a teacher. She worked in both Streetsville and
Cooksville, Ontario and in Torbay and Carbonear, Newfoundland. She was a teacher whose
heart was fully invested. She said often, “There are no bad students, just students who need
help.” She also worked for a time as an environmental enforcement officer and as a supervisor
of housekeeping at the Carbonear General Hospital.
She was tireless when helping those in need, particularly youth. She served the Youth Justice
Committee for 37 years, helping to guide and support youth who might otherwise end up in the
legal system. She found great joy in seeing young people find a path to better decisions and
opportunities. She served as a member and mediator with Youth Justice, when her health was
waning, in the role of advisor. Similarly, she devoted her energies to Crime Prevention, Big
Brothers, Big Sisters and the Girl Guides.
Alice also channeled her desire to help by being a founding member of the Saint Vincent de
Paul Foodbank in Carbonear. In addition to the official capacities in which she gave, she was
known to see someone on the street in need and offer help. These unseen opportunities to help
gave her great joy.
Alice’s faith was her bedrock and her parish community was incredibly important to her. In her
faith home of St. Patrick’s Church, Carbonear, through the years she served as lector, CWL
member, Parish Council member and Liturgy Committee member. Her faith and her community
of faith sustained her through her entire life and she is grateful to the many parishioners who
have been so integral and supportive. The friendship and pastoral care of Fr. Anthony
Chidimma Nwoko has been so very important to her journey these last years and she was so
very grateful, as is her family.
Faith, family, community, those in need – her life was marked by much love, given and received.
When the pandemic and declining health meant more time at home, she prayed constantly,
lifting up the intentions of every family member and friend. Her online Masses and rosaries
punctuated every day, usually several times. When not praying for the many that she loved, she
was calling them to let them know of her prayer for them and to check on how they were, even
on the sickest days.
A very heartfelt thank you to Alice’s medical team at the Health Sciences Centre – Dr.
Vidyasankar, Dr. Morkar and all the nursing staff of 5 South B, as well as her respiratory
therapists. She was so appreciative of all the care given and spoke of it repeatedly. The
competence and compassion meant so much.
Thank you to family who offered and offer such support, in particular her siblings and extended
family. Our family will be always grateful to her sister, Mary Somers, who selflessly dedicated so
much time and attention to the things that mattered to Alice during her hospital stay. This
sustained Alice as well as her family when in need of respite. Thank you to the family members
in St. John’s and Carbonear who offered so many kindnesses to provide support through a
difficult journey.
Donations may be made in memory to Saint Vincent de Paul Foodbank in Carbonear or St.
Patrick’s Church. People may also feel free to seek out that person in need on the street and
extend kindness, a kind of private “donation” that will surely make Alice smile.
Honoring Alice’s wishes, there will be no visitation.
Her Funeral Mass and burial will take place at a later date, full of music and joy, something she made clear many times: “Lots of music and joy!”
“Whatever you did for the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
Condolences may be written to the family at: sladesfuneralhome.ca, on the Memory Wall section of the obituary. For further information please call Slade’s Funeral Home, Carbonear at 596-1212.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Slade’s Funeral Home, serving Carbonear, Upper Island Cove, Bay Roberts, Spaniard’s Bay and surrounding areas.
2023
Death notice for the town of: Bay Roberts, Province: T-N
death notice Alice Marie Sullivan Pumphrey 2023
obituaries notice Alice Marie Sullivan Pumphrey 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Alice Marie Sullivan Pumphrey 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.