Judith Gardner "Judy" Sullivan

Judith Gardner Sullivan, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home in Riverview, FL, on June 4, 2025. Born in Savannah, GA in 1941, Judy grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the oldest of two children. She was very close with grandmother, Emma, spending as much time as she could in Blitchton, GA with her large extended family and friends. Judy graduated from Stranahan High School, after which she became a proud Demon Deacon at Wake Forest University. After college, she had a short career with IBM in Miami, where she met the love of her life, Mike Sullivan. They had a lovely wedding in her parents' backyard in 1972. Judy left IBM to raise their children, Vicky and Mark, whom she would call the greatest accomplishments of her life. She was the kind of mother whose love for her children was so full, it overflowed-touching everyone lucky enough to be near her.
Judy's commitment to education and children's development led her to spend countless hours volunteering at her children's schools. Judy was an active PTA leader who made such a positive difference wherever she served, that she was personally invited to start the PTA at Walter C. Young Middle School. Judy later became the President of Broward County Council PTA and later was secretary for the Florida State PTA Board, where she advocated tirelessly for students and families across the state. She eventually became the Data Processor at Pembroke Lakes Elementary, working there for almost a decade. A lifelong learner with a passion for books of all kinds, Judy was also a "Friends of the Library" volunteer, holding a variety of leadership roles at libraries in Miramar and Riverview. She found great fulfillment in volunteering at her local library, especially during book sales. She treasured the camaraderie of her fellow "Friends of the Library," and the shared sense of purpose they all felt in fostering a love of reading.
Judy and Mike moved to Riverview in 2014 to be close to her precious treasures, as she often called her grandchildren. Her many cherished friendships were also special to her; some reaching as far back in her story as childhood and college. Because of her early volunteer efforts, she met a group of women that would call themselves the Get Along Gals, or GAGs, for short. They spent a long weekend each summer escaping from home to enjoy each other and always laugh and laugh. These ladies lived life with her and she loved them dearly. She will be remembered most for the love she poured into her family, especially her cherished grandchildren, and the countless lives she touched through her selfless volunteer work.
Judy is preceded in death by her mother, Kathryn Gardner Wrinkle; father, James Franklin Wrinkle, Sr.; brother, James Franklin Wrinkle, Jr.; and her son Mark Andrew Sullivan. She is survived by her husband, Michael Arthur Sullivan; daughter, Victoria Kathryn Kijanski (Adam), grandchildren, Logan and Layne Kijanski; sister-in-law, Cassandra Wrinkle, nephews, James Wrinkle, III and Joseph Wrinkle (Amy); great niece, Maggie Wrinkle, great nephews, Joey and Bobby Wrinkle; and aunt, Erin Virginia Gardner; as well as a gracious plenty of cousins.
The family welcomes friends for a memorial service at 2pm on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, FL, with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in her memory to the American Heart Association.