This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Szeghy, Dunne, Bennington, Sullivan, Wilhite, Costello, Berlien, Nordquist, Oliphant Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/UW.2ADI/1961 Message Board Post: Claire Ann Sullivan Szeghy, nee Dunne, a Montara resident for the last seven years, died Oct. 13 at age 86 at Three Bells of Montara, after a gallant nine-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Mrs. Szeghy was characterized by her resilience and her refusal to passively accept what life brought her. She was born during a flu epidemic, and lived through the Great Depression and World War II. "Claire was part of that great generation that did not let life's events stop them from living and always rose to the occasion when times became a struggle," said her daughter, Claire Ann Sullivan Bennington of Montara. "To her, life had been good. She was a gracious, beautiful and generous lady and we will miss her love and humor." Mrs. Szeghy was born in San Francisco on Feb. 8, 1918. She lived there throughout her life until the late 1970s, when she relocated to Sunnyvale upon her retirement from the San Francisco water department, where she had worked for 10 years as an accountant. She also devoted time to being a homemaker, and worked for her husband Leo Sullivan's contracting business. She was married twice, to Leo Sullivan from 1939 to 1972, and to Thomas Szeghy from the mid-1970s to 1988. Both preceded her in death. "When she was met with great adversity, she acted instead of reacted," said her daughter. Mrs. Szeghy enjoyed traveling, with Ireland, Sonoma County and Leningrad being favorite destinations. She had moved to Montara seven years ago to be near her daughter, and at Three Bells for the past four years where, said her daughter, she was "lovingly cared for by the staff, her extended family." Mrs. Szaghy is also preceded in death by her parents, sister Alice Wilhite, and brothers Francis, Lester, Robert and Jack Dunne. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Leo Sullivan Jr. and Barbara Costello Sullivan of Palm Desert, Dennis Joseph and Diane Berlien Sullivan of Whidbey Island, Wash., and Claire Ann Sullivan Bennington and James Jay Bennington of Montara. She was also a devoted grandmother to Monica (and husband David) Nordquist, Maureen (and husband Robert) Oliphant and Melissa Ann Sullivan (and partner Tina Autry), all of Southern California, Brendan Sullivan (and wife Melissa Sather), and Erik Sullivan, of Washington, and Zachary, Cynthia and James K. Bennington, all of Montara. She is also survived by her beloved great-grandchildren Gregory, Amanda, Scott and Matthew Nordquist, Kacie and Haden Oliphant and Mara Sullivan. Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association at 2065 West El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040 or to the Sutter VNA and Hospice, 700 S. Claremont, Suite 220, San Mateo, CA 94402. Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Half Moon Bay Review and Pescadero Pebble