Carol Joy Link Sullivan

Carol Joy Link Sullivan went to her Lord on February 20, 2024. She is survived by her daughters, Debra (Rick) Kelley and Evon (Mike) Jones, son-in-law Joe McKeirnan, daughter-in-law Heather Sullivan McKay, her grandchildren; Keith (Tim Hung) Sullivan, Bo Sullivan, Ethan Kelley, Jack Kelley, Blake Jones, Austin Jones, Madeline Sullivan, Holly Sullivan, Kayle McGuire (Deck), and Matt McKeirnan, great-grandchildren; Jaxson and Parker, her sister Elaine Bell, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Clark Sullivan, her daughter Sharon Lyn McKeirnan, her son Shane Clark Sullivan, and her brother, Jerry Link.

Carol was born in Colfax on November 27, 1941, to Howard and Pearl Link of Penawawa, Washington. Carol grew up in Penawawa where her family operated a small orchard and she says her family sold the best fruit ever because it was tree ripened. Theirs was one of the family farms that was impacted by the installation of the Snake River dams, forcing them to move from the flooded town and up into the hills. In addition to the peach orchard, the family raised their own cattle, traipsing up and down the hills of Penawawa.

Carol attended school in Colfax from where she graduated in 1960. She went on to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Eastern Washington University. Upon graduation, she was hired to teach in Washtucna where she met her future husband, Clark. She recounts their first date with laughter. Both being quite shy and introverted, conversation was scarce. She tried to ask Clark questions and quickly realized that asking yes or no questions was not a great idea.

Carol loved teaching and being in a very small school district. She was able to teach a wide variety of ages and subjects, from kindergarten in the mornings to Business and Home Economics classes in the high school in the afternoons. Being a first-year teacher and somewhat naïve, Carol soon learned that students could be a little bit devious. One year she had a home economics class in one room and across the hall she had a business class at the same time for two students who wanted more accounting classes. She knew these two students were well behaved and would work diligently so she periodically checked on them while tending to the larger group across the hall. Long after those two graduated they asked her if she realized that they often sneaked out of school and went downtown. She did not. Carol taught at the Washtucna School District her entire career. After she retired, she continued to help Clark with his small haying operation and their new fuel station. Clark and Carol were able to travel extensively and were blessed to see so many different places in this world.

Through the years, Carol was often called upon by other family members to help them. She took her mother into her home when she had dementia until it became too much. She helped other cousins with their tragedies. She continued on after losing a brother all too soon. She stood strong when her husband had quadruple bypass and then the many stint procedures afterwards. She was also blessed to watch her grandchildren marry and have families of their own. She always enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports and finding out their lates escapades. There were many happy years and the several years of heartache as her son died in a fatal airplane accident, her husband succumbed to a heart attack, and her eldest daughter was taken by cancer.

Carol’s faith has always been important to her. She accepted Jesus in the 3rd grade at a revival meeting in the Penawawa church and consistently evangelized to those around her. This faith has guided her throughout her life and is one of the legacies that she had handed down to her children.

Carol moved to Colfax about six years ago to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She volunteered with the Thrifty Grandmothers, making several friends and contributing to the community. She was especially proud of the scholarship program maintained by the shop, enabling local students to attend school and achieve their dreams. Unfortunately, over the last several years, she was dealing with the effects of dementia, a battle she eventually lost on February 20th. She and her family found their angels on earth when she entered the LaDow Court Assisted Living Facility. They treated her with dignity, respect, kindness, and love during her time there and she was able to make new friends in a short time. Words cannot express how grateful we are for their help during her last days. Dr. Candelaria also fought so hard for her, for which her family will be eternally grateful.

The memorial service for Carol will be held Friday, March 1, at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Colfax. The graveside service will be at the Washtucna Pioneer Cemetery in Washtucna at 2:30 PM. The family suggests memorial gifts in her memory be made to LaDow Court Assisted Living, PO Box 368, Garfield, WA 99130.

Corbeill Funeral Homes in Colfax is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com