Diane Sullivan Obituary

Diane E. (Dripps) Sullivan, 65, of Mansfield, Pa., formerly of Saxonburg and Monroeville, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, after a courageous battle with ALS.
Diane was the beloved wife of the late Thomas M. Sullivan for 29 years, whom she married after graduating from Gateway High School, and the devoted mother of Joshua and Benjamin.
Diane was preceded in death by her husband in 2005; her son, Joshua, in 2008; her mother, Audrey M. Gray, in 2023; her brother, Dana L. Dripps, in 1998; and her nephew, Raymond M. Dripps IV, in 2001.
Diane is survived by her son, Benjamin Sullivan of Mansfield; her sister, Wendy (James) Sherer of Pittsburgh; her brother, Raymond "Butch" (Pattie) Dripps of Mansfield; her stepfather, Richard Gray of Greensburg; her niece, Meghan Kowalski; grandnephew, Maddox; and her nephews, Stephen Kowalski and Russell Dripps.
Diane was very active in the Saxonburg community. She was a den mother, Boy Scout leader, baseball mother, Knoch Band Booster, and Knoch Football Booster. She was instantly welcoming and made the many kids who came to "hang out" at her home feel like part of her family. She was a gardener (famous for her hot spicy salsa), an avid reader and a tea drinker, but never coffee.
She was brave and blunt, but kind, friendly and sunny, even solar powered - she would often say, "When the sun goes down, so do I." She could be silly, spontaneously turning into a race car driver up a rut-filled Blackberry Hill in a car filled with impressionable Boy Scouts. Everyone loved her smile, which was like a new day dawning, yet she also had a scowl like a thunderstorm at sea.
She had a talent for remediating the idleness of others with endless chores of gardening, yard work, housework and horse work at Camp Sullivan. She commanded respect, and had a sign that read, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." She was a great cook, and an advocate of cooking simply, like grilled bouillon onions. She had a love of life, and believed in, "Love people, cook them tasty food." This, perhaps, was the heart of her, for, above all, Diane had a love for family and friends that was fierce and unyielding.
In addition to raising her two boys, Diane also had an active career with the University of Pittsburgh, student financial aid department. Later, she was employed by UPMC and then completed her career with 13 years at UnitedHealthcare.
Diane was a dedicated and compassionate animal lover who cared for her horses, donkey, cats, ducks, goats and a hedgehog. She also bred and raised the sweetest Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers (terrors).
Diane will be greatly missed by her friends on Blackberry Hill Lane, where she was well known for her friendly smile and helping keep the lane cleared in the winter. She will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege to know her. You were loved deeply and will be forever in our hearts. Until we meet again …
SULLIVAN - There will not be a visitation for Diane E. (Dripps) Sullivan, who died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Friends are welcome to a memorial service and celebration of her life, followed by a reception, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at New Life Christian Ministries, 139 Knoch Road, Saxonburg. To help plan for the reception, please RSVP to ([email protected]">[email protected]">[email protected]">[email protected]) by Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, if you plan to attend.
Arrangements are with PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, East Pittsburgh.
In lieu of flowers, please make your memorial donations to your local no-kill animal shelter or the ALS Association (https://www.als.org/northern-ohio/ways-give) in her name.
For more information, please visit www.laniganfuneralhome.com.