Sybil Sullivan, who welcomed Petaluma visitors, dies at 97

Sybil Sullivan, a longtime employee of the Petaluma Visitors Program, died May 13 in Washington State with her only son at her side. Born on October 13, 1918, she was 97 years old when she passed.

Sullivan taught school for many years at McKinley Elementary in Petaluma. When she retired at age 70, she began her second career at the Petaluma Visitors Program where she graciously welcomed visitors and enthusiastically shared her knowledge of Petaluma and Sonoma County for 25 years until age 95.

Co-workers said she was so beloved by everyone at the Visitors Program and many other organizations throughout the city. The mayor came to her retirement party and was part of dedicating one of the benches outside the Visitors Center with an engraved plaque in honor of Sybil’s 25 years of service.

Curious by nature, she was the epitome of a life-long learner, always wanting to dig deeper to understand the world around her. She would hear something on the radio that sparked her interest and she was always hungry to learn more.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Evergreen Funeral Home of Everett, Wash.