Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Margaret Helen Coulson-Sullivan, age 71

Margaret Helen Coulson-Sullivan, born August 3rd, 1948 in Chicago, IL, passed peacefully on Tuesday, August 20th, 2019, age 71, in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Young Margaret lived with her family in Chicago until she graduated from high school and moved to California. As a child she enjoyed spending time with her grandparents when not in school and took care of her siblings from an early age, always having at least one in tow. Early on, Margaret learned to be a hard worker: at 9 years old, she began her first job ironing the neighbors clothing, where she earned 5 cents per item. Along with her siblings, she also delivered bread that her mother made and sold each week. She carried this industrious spirit throughout her life, and always strived to work hard for herself and those she loved. She was ambitious and competitive in her youth, playing basketball, volleyball and racing on the ice. She started winning award after award, and it sparked her spirit to achieve more.  The most notable of these achievements was the honor of being accepted into Jones Secretarial School: here she flourished and set the bar for her siblings who remember her as being an inspiration and a role model. She remained true to herself and secretly rebelled against the propriety restrictions of her beloved school by wearing her long golden hair tucked in a wig under a red hat and sporting her high heels and matching suit.  This combination of determination, business savvy and strong minded independence prevailed throughout her life.  Everything she did was done with passion and warmth, and she was never afraid to try anything new.  She was a natural salesperson, extremely creative and always treasured the many badges and trophies she earned. Her career as a cosmetologist merged these traits and afforded her the opportunity to make many friends along the way. Throughout her life, she enjoyed competing in sports, bowling, country line dancing, owning her own business, participating in hair shows, party planning, stamping cards, floral design, party planning, home improvement, sewing, gardening, cooking, and her most recent love of artistic expression, drawing flowers. She flowed from one hobby/career to the next with ease and grace, always finding joy in the next adventure. She was loyal, kind, compassionate, and she loved unconditionally. Her capacity to love was enormous and she yearned to be loved in return.  At 18, she married Thomas Norman Kaufman and moved with him to Encinitas, California. Though their marriage was brief, their friendship was life-long and they shared three beautiful children together.  Their first experience as parents came to a quick halt when their baby daughter, Tammy Marie Kaufman, passed away.  A year later they were elated when their daughter, Maryann Jeannine Kaufman, was born.  Three years later they were blessed with the birth of their son, Richard Charles Kaufman. Being a mother was Margaret’s true joy; she spoke often of her children being her greatest achievement and she loved them fiercely. Over the years, Margaret sought to find the love of her life and at long last met her husband A.J. Sullivan who was the gentle soul she had been searching for and she loved him completely. Besides her husband, Arthur James Sullivan she is survived by her siblings Joseph “Bud” Coulson, Barbara Coulson-Sorin-Stamm, Judith Spencer, Daniel Coulson, Richard Coulson, and Patricia Coulson-York Mark and their extended families; her step-siblings Naomi, Michelle, Theresa & Mark and their extended families; children Maryann Makkonen and Richard Kaufman; her step-children Steve (Desiree) Sullivan and David (Chris) Sullivan; & grandchildren Jessica Makkonen, Garrett Makkonen, Skylar Kaufman, Chance Kaufman, Nathan Sullivan, Adam Sullivan, Samantha Sullivan, Ethan Sullivan, Emily Sullivan; great grandchildren Mila and Chole Sullivan and her lifelong friends Jim and Lynn Boris. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Patricia Dorothy Hepner & Joseph Belmont Coulson, her children’s father Thomas Kaufman, daughter Tammy Kaufman, nephew Jessie Sorin, and granddaughter Kelsi Makkonen. Her remains will remain in the protection of her family. This is the legacy of a strong woman who always worked hard and strove to succeed, who gave her whole self to loving her friends and family and whose definition of success is unconditional love. She was loved by all who truly knew her, and she will be missed as she reminds us to be kind and generous. As her loved ones live in multiple states, a virtual life celebration will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas.  501-982-3400

7 Comments

  • Bob McGhee Posted September 26, 2019 8:05 AM

    Such a loving testimony for a child of God who obviously made a difference in the lives of so many. I would have been fortunate to have known her.

  • Gail Kaufman Alt Posted September 28, 2019 10:18 AM

    I am deeply saddened by the loss of my sister in law. What a perfect tribute to this beautiful strong loving woman. Her unconditional love and ability to see the good in everyone was a part of who she was. I loved and respected this woman all my life and always will. My prayers go out to her family for this tremendous loss

  • PATRICIA Coulson YORK Posted October 1, 2019 12:24 PM

    Thank you, if you are reading this, you have met her through those she knew. Admiration.

  • Maryann Makkonen Posted October 1, 2019 12:56 PM

    Belated…. Beloved . It has been an incredibly difficult time these past few months and I’ve struggled to share my loss as there is a space in my soul where my mother belongs that feels empty.

    These two passages from a book, The Love Between Mother’s and Daughters, my mother gave me many years ago remind me that we are bonded eternally, my mother and I, and she will ALWAYS be there watching over me.

    “I am an onlooker on my daughter’s dance, which I … made possible because she came through me… I’m not part of her dance. Yet whenever she takes a pause and needs someone to talk to, I am there. But that special dance with the child and the future is hers.” LIV ULLMAN

    “the daughter never gives up on the mother, just as the mother never gives up on the daughter. There is a tie here so strong that nothing can break it. I called it ‘the unbreakable bond’.”
    RACHEL BILLINGTON

    I love you mom and I miss you immensely!!!

  • James, Isi & Jessica Posted October 2, 2019 11:02 AM

    Maggie will forever be remembered for her kindness, caring, giving heart that had no limits. Her smile would light up a room and her laughter lifted everyone in her presence whenever she was around. May her family find comfort in God’s promise that you will one day be reunited in heaven and will never be separated again. We pray that your memories of Maggie bring you comfort , peace and a smile in your heart until you meet again.

  • Okemah Wolfe & Paul Reeder Posted October 2, 2019 12:39 PM

    Truly, a life well lived. In sharing your memories she lives on thru you all. So sorry for your loss. Lifting you all up in prayer.

    • PATRICIA YORK Posted October 3, 2019 10:05 PM

      Hugs to you my little one. I am so sad.

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