Sandra Burt Sullivan

Sandy was born Sept. 7, 1943 in Coral Gables, Florida to Winifred Parry Burt and Nelson O. Burt. She grew up mostly in the New York area before the family returned to Florida in 1956. At 15 she met Dennis Sullivan, the love of her life. She graduated from Coral Gables High School where she was a National Merit Scholar and was named Outstanding Senior Girl. Sandy attended Vassar College and graduated with high honors, the only microbiology major in a program the college built around her. She and Dennis married right out of college and raised three sons and a daughter. The family lived in New Jersey for several years where they were active members of a tight-knit Catholic Christian community. They moved to St. Pete Beach in 1977. Sandy earned a master’s degree with honors in science teaching from Rutgers University and a second master’s degree in science, also with honors, at the University of South Florida. After working for several years as a microbiologist and college instructor, Sandy joined Dennis in his business as a financial advisor. They worked together as partners for twenty years, finally retiring as vice presidents of Morgan Stanley. In retirement, they were just getting going. They cruised and travelled widely by camper trailer, sailboat, and tandem bicycle. They visited all fifty U.S. states, most Canadian provinces, and many countries in Europe and Asia. On their tandem bike, Sandy and Dennis were medalists in the 1998 U.S. Masters National Cycling Championships, and in 2013, at age 70, they rode coast-to-coast across America, one of many once-in-a-lifetime trips. Sandy died peacefully in her sleep beside Dennis, her husband of sixty years, on April 9, 2026. Besides Dennis, she is survived by sons Michael T. Sullivan (Julia) of Lakewood, CO; Peter S. Sullivan (Susan) of St. Petersburg; Matthew G. Sullivan (Keri) of Portland, OR; daughter Melissa Thigpen (Greg) of Huntsville, AL; brothers-in-law Timothy J. Sullivan III and Shaun D. Sullivan, eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandson, many nieces and nephews, and a world better for her having been in it.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 24 at St. John Vianney Church, St. Pete Beach, followed by a gathering of friends and family at the Sullivan home, 8345 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach.