Emma Catherine Sullivan

On February 14, 1920, Emma Catherine, née Batz, Sullivan was born on a small farm in Lebanon PA, located on Kimberlings Rd. On that day the snow had drifted higher than the fences surrounding the farms. Her father was the late Charles Augustus Batz of Lebanon PA, and her mother was the late Ruth Fernsler Batz Peffley of Lebanon PA. Her siblings were George Addison Batz, Charles Augustus Batz Jr, and Marion Elizabeth Batz Ohlinger, all late of Lebanon PA. Emma grew up on the small farm and lived there until the age of nine. These were very happy days for her. She was close to her paternal grandfather George Addison Batz, who lived to the age of 93. He called her Kleiner (little one) as she was the baby of the family. Emma was named after her grandmother Emma Arabella Zerbe Batz, who helped to deliver her into this world. Emma attended a one room country school near the farm, and later attended Lebanon Schools until the 9th grade. At a young age she worked in a clothing mill in Lebanon named Galen Mills. On June 29, 1946, she married the late William Francis Sullivan of Lebanon PA. Her daughter Cheryl Eileen was born in 1948, and her son Terry William was born in 1954. In 1955 Emma and her family moved to King of Prussia PA, where she lived the rest of her days. She loved being a housewife, and was a great cook and baker. Above all, she was a loving and supportive mother to her children. Emma enjoyed sewing, knitting, and crocheting and made many beautiful things. She loved to collect dolls, ceramic birds, rabbits, and roosters, as well as Milk Glass and Fenton glass. She also enjoyed collecting German weather houses and glass hummingbirds. Christmas was her favorite time of the year as she enjoyed the tree and all of the decorations. Emma worked for The Extracorporeal Corporation (acquired by Johnson and Johnson) in both production and office work. In her retirement she enjoyed trips to Shady Maple Market, Good’s Store, and the surrounding PA Dutch countryside. She traveled to Ireland, Scotland, England, and the Alpine Countries. Emma loved visiting her daughter Cheryl in the Bay Area of California. She celebrated her 100th birthday with her two children that included greetings from some of her favorite celebrities Scott Hamilton, Pat Sajak, and Vanna White. She spent many happy hours watching the bird feeder cams streamed live by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Emma passed away on April 25, 2020 due to natural causes. She is survived by her children Cheryl Eileen Sullivan of Foster City CA, and Terry William Sullivan of King of Prussia PA, who will always treasure their times with her, and will forever remember their beautiful mother. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca NY 14850.