Betty Jane Sullivan 1936-2012 POULTNEY - Betty Jane Sullivan AKA "The Boops" died October 1, 2012 with her family present and her husband holding her hand at home on her beloved Watkins Hill in Poultney, Vt.Betty was born in Los Angeles on June 23, 1936, the daughter of Frank and Mabel Louise Walker. She graduated from Los Angles High School in 1954 where she excelled in English Literature and writing.Betty married Lawrence T. (Larry) Sullivan on August 17, 1957 at St. Charles Church in Los Angeles. Betty was an excellent Executive Secretary at Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City, CA and later at MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington MA. After her children were grown she became the Human Resources Benefits Administrator at Raytheon Data Systems in Norwood, MA. A wonderful mother, she instilled in all of her children a love of reading and respect for all types of people.Betty was a superb chef who loved to entertain. She could craft an intimate dinner for four or a buffet dinner for 100 or more. She was known as the" hostess with the mostest." Her parties were called "Betty Bashes".She possessed a great sense of humor and used it to put people at ease. She was also feisty and could hurl "one -liners" with the best of them. She had a warm, generous heart and showed remarkable sensitivity to the emotional needs of others. In her entire life she never met a stranger.Betty loved all kinds of music. Some of her favorites were Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Matthias, the Bee Gees and Dave Brubeck.She also loved to travel and meet people. She visited all the major countries of Europe, Israel, China, Australia and New Zealand Hawaii, and Alaska, as well as many parts of the United States. She had an innate sense of relating to people from other cultures.Betty is survived by her husband of 55 years, Larry, son Mark T. Sullivan and his wife Betsy, daughter Dawn Ann Cousineau and her husband Lynn, brother Gibson Walker and his wife Janet, brother in law Daniel Sullivan and his wife Carmen, and sister in law Elaine Sullivan. She is survived also by her grandchildren, Jessica Lynn Sullivan, Dylan Walker Sullivan, Connor Joseph Sullivan, Devin Christopher Hall, Bridger Lawrence Sullivan, Valerie Louise Cousineau, Bronson Patrick Cousineau, Shayna Eleanor Cousineau, Ian Samuel Cousineau, and Maggie Leigh Sullivan. She is also survived by Lisa Davis, mother of Maggie, and Vicki Sullivan-O'Brien, mother of Dylan and Jessica, as well as many loved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, son Matthew Frank Sullivan, sister Patricia Ann Walker, sister Frances Mankey and her husband Tom Mankey, and brother in law John Sullivan and his wife, Nancy.Betty and her immediate family were immensely grateful for the many close friends and relatives who visited and communicated with her in her final days.FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral service will be held on Saturday October 6 at Saint Raphael's church in Poultney at 1 p.m. followed by interment at Saint Raphael's Cemetery. There will be a celebration of her life and luncheon afterwards. The family wishes to thank hospice nurses Susan Sessock and Nicole Helm for their competent, kind and compassionate care of Betty. The family is also thankful for the comforting help provided by the home care helpers of At Home Senior CareContributions in Betty's memory can be made to the Poultney Food Shelf or the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice.