Christina Mary Sullivan passed away on December 4, 2025, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. She was 94 years young—20 days shy of her 95th birthday.
Born and raised in Manhattan, Chris was the daughter of Hugo and Margaret (née Griffin) Broderick and the sister of Margaret "Peggy" Sawyer Mayfield.
Chris was always a caregiver, whether for her mother, husband, son, or the rest of her family. She offered infinite love and compassion as she tended to their needs.
She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Peggy, her beloved husband John, and her two sons, Craig and Jeffrey. She is survived by her daughter Lynn, her son-in-law Randy, and her granddaughter Sydney.
Above are the basics. But first and foremost, Christina Sullivan was my mother and meant everything to me. The greatest of mothers, best of friends, most loving human being I have ever known. I was blessed from birth to be the firstborn of a remarkable supermom who truly did it all. To me, she was perfect. My brothers and I were the center of her world, and she would do anything for us. She was our fiercest protector. We always came first, and she cared for us selflessly. Mom and I were best friends, too. Spending time together was our thing. We had an unusual bond for mother and daughter; we rarely fought, and being together was a priority. We spoke every single day of my life, multiple times. She was my world. Sometimes it drove my father crazy, but it was an unbreakable bond. My husband knew what he was getting into when he married me—she was part of the package. From day one, they formed a very special relationship.
She was also the proudest of "Grammies". My daughter Sydney was the light of her life. They adored each other.
My Mom and Dad were native New Yorkers. Both grew up in Manhattan. She met my dad on a city bus when she was 14. It wasn't love at first sight, but they reconnected a few years later, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married at Holy Trinity in 1953. A few years later, I came along, followed by my brother Craig and then Jeffrey. For years, she was a stay-at-home Mom until Jeff was in grammar school. Every day, she took us to school and picked us up. She attended every one of our school events, swimming competitions, baseball and basketball games, and theatrical performances. She encouraged us in everything we did or tried to do. Mom knew all the kids in the neighborhood and often took them along on our outings. When I was in grammar school, I went home to a hot lunch every day. I don't think I had a sandwich for lunch until I was 12.
She went back to work once Jeff was in grammar school. She worked in New York's public schools and made a real difference in the lives of the children she taught. The kids loved her. She was a disciplinarian with a smile, and even the most rambunctious admired her. Over the years, Dad tried to convince her to move to the suburbs, but it was to no avail. The city was in her DNA. She loved everything about it. She didn't need a backyard; she had Central Park. Growing up, she took us there every day, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays to Wollman Rink, where we learned to ice skate. We also knew the layout of every museum and walked along every street in every neighborhood. She also loved to exercise. As a little girl, I remember her watching Jack LaLanne on TV and doing every exercise he presented. She continued her exercise routines until COVID hit.
Mom didn't swim, so she made sure her kids did. Food was never a priority for her, so she became an excellent cook to make sure we were imaginative eaters who tried everything. She was devoted to her family, caring for her mother, Margaret, until she passed in 1972. Family always came first.
Mom was outgoing and had many close friends. She loved throwing parties and laughing. Dad was quieter and more reserved. They both loved music, movies, and the theater. They were also religious, and the church played a significant role in their lives. Although they were so different, my Mom and my Dad were soulmates. They were married for 46 years when my Dad passed in 1999. It was really tough on her, but she carried on. We made sure she was never alone and enjoyed traveling together and just hanging out. Then, when Sydney came along in 2002, she brought a new light into Mom's life, and from day one, they were the best of buddies.
She endured so much but remained our constant support. She never ceased to amaze me.
Going forward without her is unimaginable, but my solace is knowing she is in heaven with her beloved Husband, my dad, John, her sons Jeff and Craig, her Mom and Dad, and tons of friends and relatives. She taught me how to live, how to love, and how to treasure my family. I am so proud of my mom, more than she may have known. I am truly blessed to be the daughter of the best mother in the world.
Born and raised in Manhattan, Chris was the daughter of Hugo and Margaret (née Griffin) Broderick and the sister of Margaret "Peggy" Sawyer Mayfield.
Chris was always a caregiver, whether for her mother, husband, son, or the rest of her family. She offered infinite love and compassion as she tended to their needs.
She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Peggy, her beloved husband John, and her two sons, Craig and Jeffrey. She is survived by her daughter Lynn, her son-in-law Randy, and her granddaughter Sydney.
Above are the basics. But first and foremost, Christina Sullivan was my mother and meant everything to me. The greatest of mothers, best of friends, most loving human being I have ever known. I was blessed from birth to be the firstborn of a remarkable supermom who truly did it all. To me, she was perfect. My brothers and I were the center of her world, and she would do anything for us. She was our fiercest protector. We always came first, and she cared for us selflessly. Mom and I were best friends, too. Spending time together was our thing. We had an unusual bond for mother and daughter; we rarely fought, and being together was a priority. We spoke every single day of my life, multiple times. She was my world. Sometimes it drove my father crazy, but it was an unbreakable bond. My husband knew what he was getting into when he married me—she was part of the package. From day one, they formed a very special relationship.
She was also the proudest of "Grammies". My daughter Sydney was the light of her life. They adored each other.
My Mom and Dad were native New Yorkers. Both grew up in Manhattan. She met my dad on a city bus when she was 14. It wasn't love at first sight, but they reconnected a few years later, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married at Holy Trinity in 1953. A few years later, I came along, followed by my brother Craig and then Jeffrey. For years, she was a stay-at-home Mom until Jeff was in grammar school. Every day, she took us to school and picked us up. She attended every one of our school events, swimming competitions, baseball and basketball games, and theatrical performances. She encouraged us in everything we did or tried to do. Mom knew all the kids in the neighborhood and often took them along on our outings. When I was in grammar school, I went home to a hot lunch every day. I don't think I had a sandwich for lunch until I was 12.
She went back to work once Jeff was in grammar school. She worked in New York's public schools and made a real difference in the lives of the children she taught. The kids loved her. She was a disciplinarian with a smile, and even the most rambunctious admired her. Over the years, Dad tried to convince her to move to the suburbs, but it was to no avail. The city was in her DNA. She loved everything about it. She didn't need a backyard; she had Central Park. Growing up, she took us there every day, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays to Wollman Rink, where we learned to ice skate. We also knew the layout of every museum and walked along every street in every neighborhood. She also loved to exercise. As a little girl, I remember her watching Jack LaLanne on TV and doing every exercise he presented. She continued her exercise routines until COVID hit.
Mom didn't swim, so she made sure her kids did. Food was never a priority for her, so she became an excellent cook to make sure we were imaginative eaters who tried everything. She was devoted to her family, caring for her mother, Margaret, until she passed in 1972. Family always came first.
Mom was outgoing and had many close friends. She loved throwing parties and laughing. Dad was quieter and more reserved. They both loved music, movies, and the theater. They were also religious, and the church played a significant role in their lives. Although they were so different, my Mom and my Dad were soulmates. They were married for 46 years when my Dad passed in 1999. It was really tough on her, but she carried on. We made sure she was never alone and enjoyed traveling together and just hanging out. Then, when Sydney came along in 2002, she brought a new light into Mom's life, and from day one, they were the best of buddies.
She endured so much but remained our constant support. She never ceased to amaze me.
Going forward without her is unimaginable, but my solace is knowing she is in heaven with her beloved Husband, my dad, John, her sons Jeff and Craig, her Mom and Dad, and tons of friends and relatives. She taught me how to live, how to love, and how to treasure my family. I am so proud of my mom, more than she may have known. I am truly blessed to be the daughter of the best mother in the world.
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