SULLIVAN, LAURA W Laura Jean (Wetherbee) (Drinkard) Sullivan, 61, of McAllen, TX passed away peacefully on Saturday July 26 surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her loving daughters, Wendy Gilbert and her husband William Gilbert of McAllen TX, Emily Drinkard of Middletown, CT and Sarah Beaudoin and her husband David Beaudoin of Middletown CT her loving sister Sue Crocco and her husband Christopher Crocco of Hamden, CT her nephews Matthew Borkowski and Dr. Kenneth Borkowski and his wife Jessica Borkowski of Middletown, CT and 1 grandchild, Kyle Gilbert of McAllen, TX. She was also survived by numerous cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her 1st husband, Roger Shipley Drinkard her sisters Janet Wetherbee and Eleanor Borkowski. She was born in New Haven, the daughter of the late Edward and Katharine (Chadderton) Wetherbee. She graduated from Hamden High School in 1970. Living in southeastern Connecticut most of her adult life, she worked as a home health aide for over 15 years throughout the New London/Groton/Stonington area. For many years, she was an avid organic gardener. For the last 20 years, she has been actively involved in family genealogical research. She was a member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, the New England Historical Genealogical Society, and the Connecticut Irish American Historical Society. While still living in Connecticut, she traveled throughout New England doing family research. In 2003, she, along with her sisters and daughters, had the opportunity to travel to Ireland and visit County Clare. This trip forever connected her with her Irish heritage. While living in Texas she was an active,contributing member of Ancestry.com, FindaGrave.com and wwiimemorial.com. She loved nothing better than connecting with new “cousins.” In addition to genealogy, Laura enjoyed turning roadside trash into art and created a beautiful garden while helping to clean up her local environment. A brief service for friends and family will be held at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford, CT on Friday August 8th at 10:30am at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford, CT. In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may send memorial contributions to Comfort House Services Inc. 617 Dallas Ave. McAllen Tx, 78501.

Published in The New Haven Register on Aug. 4, 2014 -