Anne F. Sullivan, of Carolina Shores, NC, passed away in Myrtle Beach, SC, on December 12, 2024.  Anne was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Charles and Anna Francis, in 1943.  She graduated from Holy Innocents School in 1957 and from Fontbonne Hall Academy in 1961.  After graduation, she started work at the Equitable Life Insurance Company in NYC. 

She met Dennis M. Sullivan in 1964, and they married on May 14, 1966.  They started their life together in Brooklyn, NY, and after a few years, moved upstate to Yorktown Heights, NY.  They bought their first home together in Putnam Valley, NY, in 1969.  Heather was born into that house in 1976, and Michael joined the family in 1979.  Anne and Dennis lived in their family home in Putnam Valley until 2000. 

During those years, Anne was very active with the Father John La Farge Auxiliary of the Columbiettes in Yorktown Heights, NY.  She held numerous local and state offices, including President of the NYS Council of Columbiettes from 2004-2006.  She was a founding member of the Our Lady of the Rosary Auxiliary of the NC State Council of Columbiettes in Shallotte, NC, and served as NC State Council of Columbiettes President from 2010-2012.  Anne also devoted herself to the church and school at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Shrub Oak, NY, during and after her children’s tenure at the school. 

Anne started working again when the kids began school, first as a local lawyer’s assistant, then as an assessor’s assistant, and then a Justice Clerk for the Putnam Valley Justice Court.  Anne enjoyed the intricacies of the judicial system as she spent countless hours at night court.  Many people joked that Anne missed her calling as a lawyer or judge.

Anne loved to read, travel, play cards and watch television.  Never far from a camera, she was the best documentarian – her photo albums are numerous and legendary, particularly the ones of her “Spring Break” trips with friends.  Her favorite recent photography subjects were her grandchildren, Matthew (2007) and Samuel (2010), of San Diego, CA. 

Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Anna Francis, as well as her brother, Joseph W. Francis.  She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dennis M. Sullivan of Carolina Shores, NC; her brother, Charles E. Francis and sister-in-law, Arlene Francis of Pocono Pines, PA; her daughter, Heather S. Riley and son-in-law, Jason P. Riley of San Diego, CA; her son, Michael D. Sullivan and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ridling of Conway, SC; and her grandchildren, Matthew and Samuel Riley of San Diego, CA.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that mourners make a donation in Anne’s memory to the Rosary Hill Home (https://rosaryhillhome.org/) in Hawthorne, NY.