Obituary of Lois Marie Sullivan

Lois passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 after a protracted battle with Parkinson's Disease. Lou led an incredible and fulfilled life and leaves behind a host of great memories and stories for her family and many lifelong friends. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Paul of Niagara Falls, Ontario and her three children Kelly, Kevin (Sandy) and Caree, as well as seven grandchildren Lauren, Thomas, Jack, Ryan, Zoe, Arden and Ty. She is also survived by her three siblings Dale and Marsha Atrens and Nita Kosokowsky.

Lois was born on December 4, 1936 in Toronto to Michael and Carol Atrens, raised in London, Ontario and grew up in a family of artists and scholars. She obtained her RN at Saint Joe's Hospital and, while attending school, met  Paul in the gymnasium at Thames Hall at the University of Western Ontario. They spent nearly 60 years together, travelling across Canada and living in nine different cities as they raised their family. Lois was a true one-of-a-kind, with a razor sharp intellect, an eye for beauty and art, and a caustic wit and sense of humour. At various times she was an actress (under the pseudonym Nolan Patrick), a writer, a producer, and an antique shop owner. She made all of us laugh with her crazy antics, her creative and often off-colour use of the English language, and her spontaneous performance outbursts whether song or dance. Whatever shortcomings she had in talent were made up for by her abundance of exuberance, bravado and a reckless disregard for whatever people thought of her. She loved a well cooked meal, anything shiny and expensive, and her adopted hometown of New Orleans and its music. She leaves behind a giant hole in our lives that will be partially filled by the stories we get to tell for years to come.

The family would like to thank her exceptional caregivers Anjela, Candy, Pinky and Angie, as well as her good friends Dan and George for their countless visit and chats. A celebration of her life will be held at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) on Tuesday, July 18th from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com