Suzan G. Sullivan, 71, passed away peacefully on February 14th at home with her two children and sweet dog by her side. She was a devoted mother, dear friend, gifted crafter, avid reader, and fourth-generation Montanan. A sudden and completely unexpected diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer took her away from us far too soon.

The oldest of three daughters, Suzan was born on October 30, 1953, to David William Haines and Mary Darlene Young Haines in Missoula, Montana. Later, they were joined by her sisters Sara and Sabrina. After spending her childhood in Missoula, Suzan moved to Bozeman, Montana, to attend Montana State University (MSU).

Suzan graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in home economics and business and teacher certification in home economics and social studies. Perhaps more importantly, at MSU Suzan formed fast friendships with her fellow Chi Omega sorority sisters. In college, Suzan could often be found participating in choirs and theater productions at the “Chi O” house. Long after college was over, she treasured the lifelong friends that she met there.

A shared love of theater introduced Suzan to Mark Sullivan, who would go on to become her husband. They got married in Bozeman in the summer of 1984. Together they welcomed two children into the world, Brianna and Conor. After brief stints of living in Colorado and Missouri, Suzan and Mark found themselves drawn back to Montana to raise their family in the same state they had both grown up in. Though Suzan and Mark would eventually go their separate ways nearly two decades later, they continued to fiercely love and compassionately parent their children together after their divorce.

Suzan’s children were the light of her life, and she flourished as a mother. Whether it was baking cookies for school events, sewing Halloween costumes, or attending sporting events or concerts, Suzan was always there, always loving, and always proud. Even after her kids were adults themselves, Suzan cherished her weekly visits from Conor on Sunday afternoons and taking trips to the East Coast to spend time with Brianna, experience city living, and visit the seaside.

Between being a supermom and caretaker for both of her parents at the end of their lives, Suzan found fulfillment in several careers. Across these different jobs, her commitment to kindness, helping people, and appreciating small joys were the constants, whether that was when she was teaching home economics, doing specialized custom framing, owning a needlework and quilting store (The Picket Fence), or working as a home health aide for older adults. Eventually, Suzan found her way to the pharmacy at Town and Country in Belgrade. She worked as a pharmacy technician there for the last season of her life, cheerfully greeting regular customers and befriending her colleagues.

Community was very important to Suzan. In addition to the Chi Omega sorority, Suzan joined P.E.O. in 1977. P.E.O. is a nonprofit organization that supports and provides financial help in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans for women seeking to further their education. She was a charter member of P.E.O. Chapter BU. Suzan also found community at Peace Lutheran Church in Belgrade. There she enjoyed singing in the choir and connecting with her fellow church members.

Suzan is survived by her children, Brianna and Conor Sullivan, and sweet Daisy, her beloved border collie rescue dog. Suzan will always be remembered for her kind heart, bright and cheery soul, and resilient spirit.

Suzan’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of the people that went out of their way to provide extra kindness, care, and support for their family in the last months of Suzan’s life, including: Suzan’s dear friends in Bozeman and elsewhere, Brianna and Conor’s friends and coworkers, the Bozeman Cancer Center, other members of the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital medical staff, Stillwater Hospice, P.E.O. Chapter BU, and Peace Lutheran Church.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. followed by a short reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Suzan’s memory can be made to either of the following organizations:

The Belgrade Community Library Foundation. The Belgrade Community Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Recently, the Foundation helped raise money for the new Belgrade Library and Community Center opening in April 2025. Donations can be made online at https://bclf.squarespace.com/donation-page.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood. The P.E.O. Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps women pursue higher education. Donations can be made via a check made out to P.E.O. Chapter BU and mailed to P.O. Box 1005, Belgrade, MT 59714, or online at https://www.peointernational.org/make-a-gift/, where you can earmark your donation for the local “Gallatin College” scholarship fund.