Joan Sullivan

It is with deep sorrow and much grief that we mourn the passing of our beautiful mom, Joan (Coyne) Sullivan, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the age of 85. Her children were by her side during her final days, surrounding her with stories, laughter, love, and comfort. Joan was a native of Butte, Montana. She graduated from Butte Central High School in 1957 and worked as a switchboard operator at the telephone company before moving to San Francisco, California, with three of her girlfriends in 1963. There, she worked at the Federal Reserve Bank before meeting her husband, John Sullivan of Anaconda, Montana. They shared 36 years of marriage before his passing and raised three children while living in the Bay Area for 25 years. Amazing in so many ways, Joan was a devoted stay-at-home mom and wife whose love was immeasurable. She was endlessly giving, supportive, and selfless, always putting others before herself—a true role model. She took great pride in her family and joyfully promoted her Irish-American heritage, never missing a chance to wear green or cook corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. She was a favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews and was loved by all who knew her for her sweet and caring disposition. Joan loved trying new things, which led her and John to become involved in square dancing for several years. In fact, she never shied away from the dance floor. Watching her and John dance the jitterbug at wedding receptions was truly enchanting. Joan was very artsy and loved doing crafts. She was especially talented with a sewing machine, creating countless holiday outfits, baptismal dresses, wedding veils, doll clothes, blankets—the list goes on. She was also incredibly creative in the kitchen, making amazing birthday cakes for her children. Known as the “Dessert Queen,” Joan delighted family and friends with sweet treats for every occasion and was a consummate host of many memorable family gatherings. Joan’s kindness, warmth, and unwavering love for her family will forever live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. A lifelong friend to so many, she will be greatly missed. She is preceded in death by her husband John, parents Eleanor and Raymond Coyne, brothers and sisters-in-law Jack and Dorothy Coyne, Pat Coyne, Raymond Coyne, Don (Rusty) and Shirley Coyne, in-laws Paul Sullivan, Pat Sullivan, Mike and Rita Sullivan, Bill Hickman, and Patrick Delaney. Joan is survived by her children, Colleen and Shawn Osborn, Paula and Dave Nicholas, and Sean and Lisa Sullivan, her cherished grandchildren Deirdre, Kellen, and Siobhan Osborn, Ellie and Clare Nicholas, and Jack and Ryan Sullivan, sisters and brothers-in-law Colleen and JD Tucker, Marilyn and Chuck Goforth, in-laws Delia Coyne, JoAnn Coyne, Carmie Sullivan, Maggie Hickman, Dan Sullivan, and Marie Delaney, plus numerous nieces and nephews and their families. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date in both Montana and California.

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Joan Sullivan

January 31, 1940 - December 21, 2025