Marian Frances Sullivan

April 18, 1941 - January 28, 2023

On Saturday, January 28, 2023 Marian Frances (Olsen) Sullivan (age 81) left this earth to be with her husband of 58 years, Arthur Joseph Sullivan, III (d. December 20, 2020). Marian was a comforting mother and mother-in-law to Michael Sullivan, Stephanie Sullivan, Daniel (Carolyn) Sullivan, and Patricia Barberini, a warm and loving grandmother to Jonathan (Lauren) Sullivan, Sophia Barberini, Nicholas (aka Kye) Sullivan, and Emma Sullivan, and an aunt who will be missed by many nieces and nephews, brother and sisterin-laws, and lifelong friends.

Marian was born on April 18, 1941 and she lived her entire life in San Francisco. She attended school at Star of the Sea where she made many friends who became lifelong companions. Before her retirement, she worked in the payroll department for San Francisco City College. She and Arthur were long-time parishioners of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, and they generously donated their time and resources to the church community.

Marian was an avid reader, single-handedly keeping hard cover romance book publishers in business during this digital age. She would devour 3 to 4 books a week, and leaves behind a collection that could fill a library. Her books will be donated to women’s shelters so others may also escape within the pages.

She was a ruthless card player, always holding her hand until the last second. She was often so quiet during the games that one might forget she was at the table until she suddenly played all of her cards, unapologetically beating everyone in one fell swoop to raucous exclamations of “Oh Grandma!”.

She loved to be outside, and when she visited her son Dan and his family in Oregon she would sit on the patio for hours, reading yet another book, and moving chairs only when the sun was no longer on her face. She appreciated a nice barbecued steak, took great pleasure in cooking prime rib dinners for her family at the holidays, and enjoyed quiet nights at home with her dog Jake.

Of course, no prime rib dinner was complete without “Grandma’s Famous Mashed Potatoes”. A little bit (ok, a lot) of butter, just the right amount of cream cheese, and a dash of Special Grandma Magic. We have tried many times to replicate them, and we can never get them quite right. It’s unlikely anyone will ever be able to achieve her level of mashed potato perfection, yet we’ll always remember how creamy and delicious they were.

Marian was a warm and generous person with a smile and kind word for everyone, and her passing leaves a hole that will never be filled in the lives of those who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed.

A celebration of her life and funeral mass will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church (2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco) at 11:00 a.m. (viewing at 10:30 a.m.) with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. If you wish to make a donation in Marian’s name, the family suggests a charity of your choice.