Chances are, if you went to school in Brentwood before 1981, Geraldine Franz Sullivan knew you.

She began working in the Brentwood School District's administration office even before she graduated in 1941, and she remained the secretary for various superintendents for the next 391/2 years.

"She got to meet with every principal and superintendent over those years," said her younger brother, Xavier Franz.

"People used to joke with her that if they got to see her [in the superintendent's office] then they were in trouble," he said, laughing.

Mrs. Sullivan spent most of the past 30 years promoting other facets of Brentwood, efforts that got her inducted into the Brentwood Hall of Fame.

She died Monday in St. Clair Hospital. She was 86.

Mrs. Sullivan perpetually was involved in volunteer activities and organizations.

After high school, when she was not at work with the administration, she took college classes and volunteered on weekend nights at Montefiore Hospital.

She also served with the Brentwood Civic Club, including years as president or treasurer, and as a member of the borough Planning Commission.

In 1992, Mrs. Sullivan formed the Brentwood Historical Society, which she served as president for most of the past 17 years.

For nine years she was an instrumental member of the borough's Fourth of July Committee. She and her brother have been past grand masters of the parade.

She and her brother were especially proud of the part she played in procuring, erecting and updating the glass-enclosed marquee with names of all Brentwood men drafted to fight in World War II.

The 320 names have been engraved onto the granite Veterans Memorial at the John Slater Funeral Home.

In 2001, when Mrs. Sullivan's husband, William J. Sullivan, died, she moved in with her brother, the last remaining member of their family.

Neither she nor her brother had any children.

"I was with her on Sunday and she looked good to me," Mr. Franz said. "I thought I'd have her longer. I miss her terribly."

Funeral service is at 10 a.m. today at St. Sylvester Church, Brownsville Road, Brentwood.

Burial will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray.

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