Claire Sullivan Obituary: Honoring a Beloved Daughter and Friend

We are deeply saddened to announce the unexpected passing of Claire Marie Sullivan, aged 31, of Denver, Colorado. She passed away on November 20, 2022, surrounded by her family during a Thanksgiving week gathering in Kill Devil Hills, NC.

Born on October 14, 1991, in Harrisonburg, VA, Claire was the beloved daughter of Kevin Francis Sullivan and Leah Anne Long Sullivan, both of Harrisonburg. She grew up in the valley and graduated from Spotswood High School. Later, she attended Eastern Mennonite University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Claire began her career at Sentara RMH and eventually relocated to Denver, CO, where she excelled as the Charge Nurse at the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit of Denver Health and Hospital Authority.

Claire was known for her compassionate nature, genuine character, and unwavering friendship. Her infectious laugh endeared her to everyone she met, and her kind heart and gentle soul made her an exceptional person. She cherished her family and friends and was always eager to lend a helping hand. Claire found solace in hiking and enjoying the hot springs of the beautiful Colorado Rockies. She had a diverse taste in music, starting with the Beatles and Beach Boys, and she delighted in attending concerts. Other joys in her life included savoring good food and drink, especially seafood like Blue Crab, taking beach walks, riding the waves, and searching for seashells. She also loved kayaking, reading, cuddling with her beloved dog “Bodie,” and exploring her culinary skills. Claire’s presence will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Claire is survived by her parents, Kevin Francis Sullivan and Leah Anne Long Sullivan, as well as her brother Erik Sullivan and her grandfather Robert Long, all of Harrisonburg.

A celebration of Claire’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The service will be recorded for those unable to attend in person. Following the service, a social gathering will take place from 2-4 p.m. at the Hyatt Place in Harrisonburg. Casual and comfortable attire is suggested for both events, as Claire would have wanted. Group rate hotel rooms will be available for those in need.

In memory of Claire, her favorite charity is the Charcot Marie Toothe Research Foundation. Donations can be made in her honor at cmtrf.org/donate.

We hope that by sharing this article, we can pay tribute to the remarkable life of Claire Marie Sullivan, a cherished individual who touched the lives of many.

You can read some condolences for claire sullivan below;

Adam Bates from Norfolk, wrote on Apr. 1, 2023

I am late to receive this news and it breaks my heart. You were such a kind, gentle, and loving spirit. You were my best friend in middle school and I will always cherish the moments we had together in those times. You were my “middle school sweetheart”, the first girl I ever loved and still hold those memories near and dear to my heart until the end. This is shocking news; I’d not received news your passing until just recently, after months away from social media. I’ll miss you, truly. Your smile, your compassion for others, and your belief in both you and myself. This is unreal. My heart goes out to the family and friends who’ve had to experience this loss. We’d just began talking again, only weeks before your passing, and after many years of silence. It makes me wonder if I could’ve said or done something to turn things around. I wish I could’ve attended this event. You will be missed, sorely. See you on the other side, Claire Bear.

Meat Head wrote on Feb. 25, 2023

It happened only a month or so after we last spoke… You seemed so ready to live again after all that happened with him. I had a lot of hope for you. I was glad for you. I never wished anything bad for you. It’s not like we would have ever been the same. There’s no going back from the decisions we made. But I did at least hope we could salvage some kind of friendship. We joked a little about how predictable life can be… Said we’d have to catch up more. And the next thing I knew… someone said you were gone. Strange. Life is anything but predictable. There is so much I could say, so much I could have said, but that’s all beyond my reach now. One fact remains, I miss you. I will probably miss you a little every day for the rest of my life. After all was said and done, for better or worse, you were my soul sister, someone who affected my life on this Earth for years with how inexplicably familiar you were. When we first met, I felt like I had to know you, and the void you left behind is never gonna fill. Wish You Were Here.

Rebecca Webb from Denver, Colorado, wrote on Jan. 17, 2023

Claire, I will never forget the first time I met you in orientation and found out we would work together! I just thought you were the coolest.! I am grateful that our friendship blossomed over the time we worked together. You were such an awesome nurse, and rocked it with the kids!!! Your laughter and jokes will be missed on the unit. I am deeply saddened by your loss. Hope you are amongst the stars and the sky, I will always miss you !!!!! I think often of our last conversations and am grateful for the quality time we shared. Love you girl!!!! Rebecca W.