Sara Robinson Sullivan

Sara Robinson Sullivan, long-time Fallston resident, died November 24, 2009 at the age of 98. The daughter of Clayton and Sarah Robinson, she was born in Macton, Harford County on July 26, 1911. Her father operated a grist mill on what is now Robinson's Mill Road. As a young girl, she was active in 4H and was chosen as the delegate from Maryland to the 2nd National 4H Camp to which she later returned as a counselor.

She graduated from Western Maryland College in 1932 and maintained friendships with two of her classmates through the years. After graduating from college, she taught for many years at Slate Ridge High School. In later years, she also taught at Bel Air Middle School, North Harford High School and South Hampton Middle School.

In 1936, she married the late Clarence John Sullivan and came to live on his family's home place, Stony Batter, on Watervale Road in Fallston. She lived there for the remainder of her life. In 1937, she traveled cross country for six weeks with her sister in law, Lauretta Laird, and two other ladies. During World War II, she worked at the Rationing Board. In 1948, after the birth of her children, Susan Hess and Clarence John Sullivan, Jr., she opened a pre-school and kindergarten program, Maplehurst Play Center, at her home. The play center operated until 1957 when she returned to teaching at North Harford High School. She retired from teaching on May 1, 1978.

In later years, she traveled extensively in Europe and the North American Continent. In retirement, she enjoyed gardening and riding her tractor over her property. A familiar face in Fallston, Mrs. Sullivan was active in the Fallston Club and the Chimney Corner Club. For many years, the Chimney Corner annual picnic was held at her home. She was a well-loved teacher, and many of her former students became her friends and visited with her in her Fallston home over the years. In 1997, she was recognized as a Harford County Living Treasure by Eileen Rehrmann, County Executive and the Harford County Council.

Mrs. Sullivan also served for many years as her class secretary for the Class of 1932 for the Alumni Association of Western Maryland College. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, the Retired Teachers of Harford County and the State of Maryland, the AARP of Madonna, and St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Hickory, Maryland.

"Sara was one neat lady...sharp as a tack always. My last visit with her was great, full of questions and answers, and history...As I got up to leave she asked me what the weather was like..."Well Sara it's a nice day, sunny and a little breeze blowing." "Mmmm....you left something out...she said." 'I did?" " What's the humidity?...."
I answered that it was about 71%...she smiled and bid me farewell....a remarkable lady, for certain."
Todd Holden

She is survived by her son, C. John Sullivan, Jr., her daughter, Susan Sullivan Hess, her son in law, Donald S. Hess, her grandsons, Kevin Hess, and his wife, Charmian, John Hess, and his wife, Jennifer, Christopher Hess, and C. John Sullivan III, and his wife Mary. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Nicholas St. Clair Hess, Alexis Noelle Hess, Benjamin Blair Sullivan and Hamilton Bradley Sullivan.

Pallbearers will be C. John Sullivan III, Kevin St. C. Hess, C. John Hess, Christopher B. Hess, Donald St. C. Hess and Robert N. Hockaday. Honorary pallbearers will be Benjamin B. Sullivan, Hamilton B. Sullivan, Nicholas St. C. Hess and Alexis N. Hess.

Contributions may be made to the Little Falls Meeting of Friends, P.O. Box 240, Fallston, MD 21047 and the C. John Sullivan, Jr. Endowment Fund of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.