Obituary of Laurie E. Sullivan

Laurie Eileen Sullivan of Lewiston, NY passed away on Tuesday February 19, 2019 in Buffalo Mercy Hospital after a courageous 2-year battle with ovarian cancer. Born in Lewiston, NY on March 15, 1957 the daughter of the late Paul and Pauline Knize Sullivan. She attended Lewiston Porter School and graduated in 1975. She went on to earn and Associate degree in applied science at Daemon College in 1995, a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1997 and a Master of Science adult nurse practitioner in 2001.

Laurie joined the United States Air Force Reserve 914 AW, 914th Aeromedical Squadron in 1991 and attained the rank of Major before retiring in 2012. She was proud to serve as a qualified flight nurse and basic life support instructor. She was deployed from April 2003 until October 2003 where she flew multiple medical missions caring for wounded soldiers. Laurie worked at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY as a cardio-thoracis nurse form September 1996 to sept 2001. She worked at Sheehan Memorial Hospital in Buffalo, NY as a nurse Practitioner from September 2002 to February 2003, she also worked at Buffalo General/Gates Vascular Hospital in Buffalo, NY in the cardiac medical ICU as a nurse practitioner retiring in 2016. Laurie also worked at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital with the hospitalist group and part time for a cardiologist running the pacemaker clinic once a week, at the time of her death she worked part time at Our Lady of Peace for her special friend Dr. Phillip Sauvageau. She was a member of Sigma Theta tau International Inc. Honor Society for nursing and a member of Western New York Nurse Practitioner Association

Laurie was awarded several medals and decorations throughout her service including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak lead cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, AF Longevity Service with 4 oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal 1 M device and 2 hourglass devices and AF Training Ribbon with 1 oak leaf cluster.

Laurie loved gardening and working in her yard and feeding the birds. She traveled all around the world and she especially loved her trips to Berlin, OH with her sister Kathy and brother in-law Todd. She always called on her brother “Tim the Tool Man” Sullivan to help her with repairs around the house. Anyone who knew Laurie also knew of the love of her life her dog Buddy Ann and their walks around the neighborhood. Laurie is survived by her brother Timothy Sullivan (Maura) of Lewiston, her best friend and sister Kathy (Todd) Willms of Ransomville; nieces Kelsey Sullivan and Alexis Azzrello and a nephew Ryan Jeffords. Also surviving are many friends, cousin and special neighbors Diane and Leroy Runkles and her special next-door neighbor and friend Daniel Robins who was always willing to help her when she needed it. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her niece Courtney Sullivan.

Family and friends may call at the HARDISON FUNERAL HOMES INC. N.Fourth and Ridge Sts. Lewiston on THURSDAY from 3-8 PM. Burial with military honors will be held at Oakland Rural Cemetery, Lake Rd. Youngstown at a time and date to be announced. In lieu of flowers memorial offerings may be made to St. Jude Children’ Research Hospital or the Niagara County SPCA. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online registry.