Carla Sullivan Obituary

Carla Ruttle Sullivan

October 29, 1946 - March 7, 2025

It's rare that we are graced with a person that upon first meeting, regardless of our differences, an almost instant friendship is formed.

Perhaps this is the best way to describe Carla: her warmth, thoughtfulness, intelligence, charm, and quick wit with a smile instantly transforms what might be a casual meeting to a life long friendship.

Carla Ruttle Sullivan was born in October of 1946 to parents John Carter and Elizabeth Smith Ruttle in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of two successful retired Army Staff Sargeants.

While in Michigan, the family lived a suburban lifestyle, but also had a summer house on Lake Huron, a place etched in Carla's memory forever, as for the rest of her life she appreciated the simple things; calm days, blue sky, and the chilly but clean waters the lakes.

The Ruttle family eventually moved to South Dakota, where Carla's journey as an adult would soon begin.

Carla, the oldest of 5 children (John, now deceased, Patricia, Douglas and Craig) would come to be known as a trailblazer, especially as a young woman.

Before the creation of the Mary Tyler Moore show in 1970, Carla, on her own, left the comforts of home in Sioux Falls for the big city of Minneapolis. Perhaps now, it seems not so consequential, but in those days, a young, single woman going off on her own was extraordinary. The family sometimes thought of Carla as "their Mary," referring to the parallel life of the brave young woman depicted in the much revered television show.

As Carla's family eventually moved to Waverly New York, Carla at some point came East too, but yet again taking another leap of faith and moving to New York City.

Upon arrival, she embraced the rough and tumble city life of 1970's midtown Manhattan, at one point living in a YWCA at the edge of the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. As she navigated the big city's subways and sidewalks, she eventually found work as an executive secretary with large Manhattan firms, eventually finding new homes in the calmer boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn.

Carla later met and married her first husband, Sam, who lived in New York but was a native of Japan. For a time, Japan was Carla's home too, as she traveled between New York and Tokyo for a short time.

Although Carla's marriage with Sam eventually ended, she stayed strong and kept moving, all the while holding on to loving friendships forged since the 1960's.

Later, Carla left New York and for a time lived with brother John and his family in Connecticut. Carla eventually made her home back to the small town of Lockwood, New York, for a time taking over the family home as she helped her then ailing parents.

While living there and helping her mother and father, she eventually met Bill Sullivan, who was working with the Veterans Administration. Bill was on hand as he guided her parents while they received Veteran's benefits.

After Carla's parents passed away, she stayed for a time in Lockwood, but then joined her brother Craig and his family in Cincinnati, all the while staying in touch with Bill.

They ultimately reunited, marrying in 2005, and finding their way to Auburn, where Carla would live until her final days.

Her humble Auburn home would eventually become a topic of conversations for visitors as her flair for bright colors, wallpapers and a touch of Japanese art would grace the walls and exterior of the home.

At a point a few years ago, Carla was struck with several illnesses, including one that left her totally blind.

Perhaps it was the most unfair blow, as one of Carla's favorite pastimes was simply looking at clouds and blue skies. Her blindness, didn't keep her down for long.

With the help of friends and family, and eventually a loyal and loving group of caregivers, Carla made sure that her home with Bill would always be bright, cheery, and welcoming for guests to enjoy a warm summer day on her screened porch and gatherings around the tidy dinning room table.

But along with Carla's blindness came a series of other heath issues that she pushed though with endurance. Carla beat the odds over and over again, living years beyond what several health professionals thought possible. Many adventurous days were still yet to come, surprising thankful caregivers, friends and loved ones alike.

Although Carla endured great difficulties in her final weeks, she somehow maintained her grace, even during what would be her final words before her passing.

A caregiver, who was saying goodbye for the day and accidentally called to her by the another name, was gently reminded that she had referred to a different person.

"My name is Carla," she said. Upon a quick apology from the caregiver, Carla quietly answered, with the kind consideration she always gave to friends and strangers alike. "oh, that's ok."

Carla passed away March 7, 2025, eventually succumbing to lung cancer and other complications.

She will be greatly missed by her closest loved ones, friends, care givers, (some who only knew her a few days) and acquaintances that literally span the world.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be preferred for Matthew House, 43 Metcalf Dr, Auburn, NY 13021.