Audrey Jill Sullivan

Audrey Jill Sullivan was born in Denver, Colorado on November 3, 1915 to her parents, Myrtle and Dr. Clarence A. Bennett. At the age of eight, she was baptized in the RLDS Church (now Community of Christ). She attended schools in Denver and graduated from North High School in 1933, after which she attended Colorado Women's College as an Art and Theatre major.

She married Robert S. Thomas in 1935. This union produced two children: Rogene (Thomas) Kirkegaard of Chicago and Robert (Bob) Thomas of Forest Ranch, California. Their children and grandchildren include: Kristen Ivie, of Chino Valley, Arizona; David Spillman of Flagstaff, Arizona; Kory Peay of Aurora, Colorado; Perrin Peay of Denver, Colorado; Greg Thomas of Austin, Texas, Jeff Thomas of Newark, Delaware, and Kelly Bruce of Portland, Oregon. Great grandchildren include: Kylin Peay, Taylor Haynes, Caleb Haynes, Analise Thomas, Benjamin Thomas, Mackenzie Spillman, Cooper Spillman and Christopher and Carter Ratliffe,

In 1947, Jill married Leo Aubrey Sullivan, a prominent if not colorful criminal attorney from Oakland, California. Two children were born: Leo A. Sullivan, Jr. of Oakland, California and James Clarence Sullivan of Vancouver, BC Canada.

Her Life:

Audrey, her given name, was born in Denver, Colorado, attended Boulevard Elementary and Lake Junior High and graduated from North High School. She was chosen Miss Denver in 1934 and went on to Colorado Women's College, studying art and theatre. There she earned an award for her Calla Lily painting and was chosen winner of the Colorado Women’s College beauty pageant. News columnist and commentator, Walter Winchell was the judge of the pageant.

From a small child on, Audrey had roles in Elitch’s Theater in Denver.

She came by her drama and artistic talents naturally through her Aunt Cordy who was on Broadway in the early 1900's and Miss Denver in 1904, and who also became a prolific artist in later years.

Photo and motion picture modeling took her to Hollywood for a short duration in the mid 1940's. During her time in Hollywood, she took the stage name of "Jill" and has continued to be called Jill by most of her friends and family ever since. One of her Hollywood stories was when she tripped over a step and fell into the arms of Bing Crosby.

She returned to Oakland and married the prominent criminal attorney, Leo Sullivan. Leo was a colorful character with a photographic memory that served him well in defending clients. After the birth of Leo Jr. and Jimmy, Jill opened a designer Millinery shop, where she designed and handcrafted custom-made hats. That shop was on Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland. Within a couple of years, she opened a millinery supply store in downtown Oakland across from Capwells, the most notable department store of its time.

Jill's mother Myrtle and Myrtle's cousin, Iva moved from Denver to Oakland in 1972 for needed care. Jill started working for the US Department of Agriculture around the same time until her retirement. From that time until the end of 2012 she managed apartment buildings, starting in San Diego, then 1200 Lakeshore in Oakland and finally, for the past 30+ years a 12-unit apartment building on Grand Avenue in Oakland. She notified her tenants last year that she was going to take an ‘early retirement’ on her 97th birthday. That was last November…

Jill lived a life that encompassed 97 years of joy and sorrow, happiness and loss. She was a resilient and resourceful person who made the best of the many challenges that came her way. She had a spontaneous and infectious sense of humor and was able to find cause for laughter and learning experiences through any adversity. She had wonderful, supportive friends in her church and Bible class. They and her faith in God sustained her through difficult situations. Everyone knew her strong feelings regarding politics and religion, and she wasn't afraid to tell you her point of view. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her. Her loved ones already miss her love and unflinching support and she will not be forgotten.