Katherine Patricia Sullivan passed away peacefully on August 6, 2023 in New Smyrna Beach, FL., surrounded by her family at her side. Throughout her 86 years, her infectious smile, kindness, and generous spirit brightened the lives of every person lucky enough to know her, love her, and laugh and dance with her.
Trish was born July 11, 1937 to Peter Gaffney and Catherine Gaffney (Foley) in Glen Cove, New York. Alongside siblings Eileen, Peter, and Alice, she grew up in Port Washington working at Gaffney’s, their family restaurant. After graduating from high school, she set sail across the Atlantic to visit Ireland with her aunt Kitty—a three-month adventure where she experienced her parents’ homeland, danced on tables, and made memories of a lifetime. Upon returning, she worked in New York City for a time, then eventually landed a job at the Navy Base in Manhasset.
It was at that same Navy Base, during a Christmas party in 1957, when second lieutenant Harold J. Sullivan caught sight of her walking into the room with her signature red curls and easy smile. “Who is that?” young Hal inquired, quickly proclaiming, “I have got to meet her.” Their first date was New Year’s Day 1958. They married in August that same year, the start of an incredible love-filled life together.
In 1967, with four children in tow, Trish and Hal relocated to Winter Park, FL, as Hal was transferred to the Orlando Naval Training Center. They built a house and home on Darcey Drive, rounded out their family by one more, and settled in for their next chapter. Together, this amazing duo raised five kids who, while wildly different in personalities, will forever be bonded by having won the parent lottery. Together, Trish and Hal showered love on each of their children, creating a childhood filled with motorhome trips to Hyannis and Port Washington, magical Christmas mornings, a garage-turned-arcade room frequented by every kid in the neighborhood, family dinners that doubled as history and civic lessons, and countless outings to the coast. They also provided shoulders to cry on, ears for listening, and when needed, words of wisdom and guidance. They were the best parents in the entire world.
Beyond her family, Trish generously gifted love and kindness to so many—her St. Margaret Mary community, her Darcey Drive neighbors, her beloved Bridge Club friends, and everyone else lucky enough to be in her orbit. She loved music, never missing a chance to play and sing Danny Boy on the piano. She danced pretty much anywhere—at countless weddings, on the beach, in our Darcey Drive kitchen, and with her grandchildren on the Cliffs of Moher.
Trish Sullivan was beloved by all who knew her. Her life with Hal and her family and friends was filled with adventures and fun, lightly peppered with struggles and sorrows, and defined by deep, true, lifelong love. She is survived by her son Brian (Jenny) and daughters Maura (Joe), Kathleen (Brandon), and Sheila (Steve), nine grandchildren (Erin, Spencer, Joe, Megan, Kerry, Talon, Daniel, Will, and Kate), four great grandchildren (Ryder, Asa, Brantley, and Ian), her brother Peter (Roberta) and sister Alice. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold and son Michael.
Mom, you can hug your own parents, sister Eileen, and cousin Kitty every day, laugh until you cry with Michael by your side, and slow dance with your Hally in the kitchen for as long as you want—no interruptions, surrounded by love and light forever.