Anne McCormick Sullivan was serving as a firefighter assigned to station 68 of the Houston fire Department on May 31, 2013, when she lost her life in the performance of duty.
FF Sullivan was one of four Houston firefighters who died in a building collapse at the Southwest Inn fire on 31 May 2013. She had just begun her career with the Houston Fire Department in April 2013. She died 45 days later.
More details of that tragic day can be found here: (
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and here: (
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From the National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation memorial page: (
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"Anne McCormick Sullivan
Probationary Firefighter
Houston Fire Department
Texas
Age: 24
Year of Death: 2013
Anne McCormick Sullivan was born on December 4, 1988, in Houston, Texas, to Jack and Mary Moore Sullivan. Anne was sister to Will, Kate, and Thomas Sullivan.
Anne always had a big ole Texas smile on her beautiful face. She has been described as compassionate, courageous, loyal, disciplined, stubborn, honest, determined, dedicated, a self starter, funny, headstrong, optimistic, unshakable, trustworthy, tenacious, and spiritual.
Anne loved athletics, especially soccer and cross country running. She loved the competition and the camaraderie of being part of a team. In her senior year of high school, she was honored as Female Athlete of the Year. Her coach told her, “You won the award because you worked harder and pushed yourself more than any other athlete, never missing a practice or game and always helping and encouraging your teammates.”
At age 17, Anne decided to become a firefighter, and nothing was going to stop her. Her determination and perseverance to overcome obstacles to achieve that goal was remarkable. True to her dream, Anne earned her firefighter and EMT certifications and joined two volunteer fire departments, where she was nicknamed “Punky” and “Mighty Mouse.” Punky because Anne always wore her hair in a ponytail, and Mighty Mouse because at 5' 2? she could pick up a 180-pound man and carry him around the station.
Anne graduated from the Houston Fire Department Academy in April 2013. Her instructor said, “Anne showed that of her 5'2" frame, 5'1" was heart. She amazed the staff on how she made it through evolutions on sheer determination; she NEVER quits.”
On May 31, 2013, Anne was killed at the Southwest Inn fire in Houston, along with three fellow firefighters. To honor Anne’s spirit and sacrifice, the Houston Fire Department Academy commissioned the Anne McCormick Sullivan Award, to be presented to the cadets “who best exemplify integrity, extraordinary responsibility, never-quit attitude, and the discipline and commitment to be the best.” In addition, the Anne Sullivan Foundation was created as a living legacy to provide scholarship funds for women to pursue the noble calling of firefighting to carry on Anne’s dream.
Anne will be deeply and forever missed by her family, friends, fellow firefighters, and the many people whose lives she so positively touched."
Her tombstone stands near the Houston firefighters memorial in Glenwood Cemetery, and is inscribed with the shield of the Houston Fire Department. In Nov 2015 a weatherproof box held a visitors journal, and visitor entries are most welcome. We read the book and wrote a few words we hope will comfort future readers. The book is a heartbreaking reminder of loss and aftermath of tragedy.
Her bravery will not be forgotten in Houston and in her hometown of Sugar Land: (
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"School to be named after fallen Houston firefighter
Anne McCormick Sullivan, who died while batting the Southwest Inn Motel fire, was a graduate from the school district; it will open August 2016
Apr 1, 2015
By FireRescue1 Staff
HOUSTON — An elementary school will be named after a firefighter killed in the line of duty while battling the Southwest Inn Motel fire two years ago.
Houston Chronicle reported that the school, named after firefighter Anne McCormick Sullivan, a Fort Bend (Texas) Independent School District graduate, will open in August 2016.
Sullivan had learning and speech disabilities, but progressed through elementary school with the help of her regular and special education teachers, according to the report. In high school, she ran cross country and played soccer. She later earned her firefighting credentials at Wharton County (Texas) Junior College and went on to work at Houston Fire Department 68.
Sullivan died May 31, 2013, when the Southwest Inn Motel collapsed, killing her and three of her fellow firefighters.
Another elementary school will be named after Carolyn and Vernon Madden, who worked in Fort Bend ISD for a total of 61 years.
The Fort Bend ISD trustees unanimously agreed to the school names.
"As a committee, we felt the Maddens and Ms. Sullivan exemplify selflessness and dedication, and we proudly submitted these namesakes for board consideration," Christie Whitbeck, Fort Bend ISD's deputy superintendent, said. "Madden Elementary will carry on Mr. and Mrs. Madden's legacy of educational excellence, and Ms. Sullivan’s deep ties to Fort Bend ISD, her drive and determination to succeed despite her disabilities, and her bravery in the line of duty will be revered for generations to come."
Anne McCormick Sullivan Elementary will be constructed at 17828 Winding Waters Lane, Sugar Land, Texas."