Obituary

Ellen (Mickey) Sullivan Flores

November 3, 1947 - September 6, 2024

Ellen (Mickey) Sullivan-Flores passed away on September 6, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. Mickey was born the third of eight children to Robert Edwin (Bob) Sullivan and Eleanor (Ellie) Laux Sullivan in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 3, 1947. She spent her early years cheering on the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana, where her father was a professor at the Notre Dame School of Law and an assistant coach for their football team. When Bob accepted a job as the Dean of the University of Montana School of Law, Mickey moved to the place that forever had her heart - the Big Sky Country.

After graduating from Carroll College and the University of Montana with degrees in speech and language pathology, Mickey moved to Fallon, NV, a move that was only anticipated to last a single year; 45+ years and six children later, Nevada was officially home.

Mickey worked as an early childhood speech therapist in Fallon, NV, where she touched the lives of many children. Yet, her true passion was family. Mickey was a supportive and understanding mother. She constantly showed up to her children’s activities and always cheered them on in any endeavor. For Mickey, family wasn’t just her own kids and her large extended family; it was a group that included neighbors, friends, the friends of all her children, and anyone who was far from home or didn’t have family. Even with a large family of eight, there was always room for more at the table. Due to Mickey’s generosity and kindness, the Flores house was considered home to anyone who walked through its doors, and she was never happier than when there was a house filled to the brim with the people she loved.

In her later years, Mickey relished the role of grandmother, and a new generation was treated to her love and attention. From ‘grandma slumber parties’ to beach vacations and trips to the pumpkin patch, she was there for the big adventures. Where Mickey really shined was in the daily interactions with her grandkids, where she turned simple things like a walk to school into a precious memory.

Mickey cared deeply about her community and making it a better place. She had a special way with people that let them know how much they were valued for exactly who they were. In a large group, Mickey wasn’t the loudest or the most visible person, but she was always at the heart of any operation, moving it forward with her quiet Irish determination. She put her talents to work at St. Vincent’s Dining Room, where she volunteered weekly, preparing and serving meals to those in need. She also donated her time at Little Flower Catholic Church, as her faith and service were very important to her. She greatly enjoyed the friendships she formed while supporting both communities.

In addition to her volunteer activities, Mickey greatly loved cooking and baking and found the kitchen to be a calming place. Mickey loved having her meals be the reason for people to gather. She enjoyed crocheting, cross stitching, gardening, and going for walks with her family and dog, Murphy. Mickey took pleasure in visiting her children and grandchildren and embarking on adventures during her time with them. She also really enjoyed spending time catching up with all her sisters. “Family is everything,” she often said.

Mickey is survived by her six children: Kathleen Cederlöf (Jörgen), David Flores, Patricia Flores, Michelle Barbato (Steve), Theresa Devenport (Chris), and Kevin Flores; her six grandchildren: Elin and Mira Cederlöf, Nelsen and Harriet Martinson, and Reilly and Quinn Barbato; her sisters: Sheila Merkel, Kathleen (Kitty) Sullivan, Shannon Anderson, Bridget McGregor and Kerry Sullivan-Lechner; sisters-in-law: Vickie (Tony) Cadiente and Rosalind Wick, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Ellie Sullivan; her brother, David Sullivan; her sister, Maureen Dougherty; and her son-in-law, Rune Martinson.

Services will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church in Reno, NV, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at the Reno Elks Lodge.

The family invites memorial donations in honor of Mickey to support the organization that she supported so much, the St. Vincent’s Dining Room of Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, PO Box 5099, Reno, NV, 89513.

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, you are deeply missed. The world is less loving and welcoming without you in it. We love you and hold you close in our hearts until we meet again.

May the road rise to meet you, 

May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.