Sandra "Sandy" Sullivan
Sandy Sullivan, 71, of Aberdeen, SD, died Sunday, February 15, 2026, at her home in Aberdeen, SD.
Sandra Jane Deyo was born September 9, 1954 to Norman and Vera (Prose) Deyo in Huron, SD, the only daughter between two brothers. Most of her schooling was in Huron, before moving to Aberdeen in 1968. She graduated from Central High School in 1972.
Sandy met her husband, George P. Sullivan, while in high school, and they married May 17, 1975. Their oldest daughter, Juli, was born in 1978. A second daughter, Patricia Jane, was born in 1986, but passed away in infancy.
She worked for the federal government in Aberdeen for more than 30 years, retiring in 2013.
Often joking that she was busier in retirement than during her career, Sandy found time to beat breast cancer, attend auctions to hunt for fun, unique antiques (often repurposed into a crafting project), and to enjoy traveling with George P. and several close friends over the years – sponsored bus tours, Disney World, Italy, Paris, England, Scotland, Ireland and Norway being among her favorites.
However, Sandy was best known for her tireless volunteerism for several Aberdeen organizations, spanning nearly 50 years. Starting with the Aberdeen Snow Queen Festival in 1983, other organizations that benefitted from her time, talent, energy and dedication include S.P.U.R.S. Therapeutic Riding Center, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Eagles, the Celtic Faire & Games, the Glacial Lakes Chili Cookoff at the Brown County Fair, Oktoberfest, the South Dakota Film Festival, and the Aberdeen Community Theatre. Her loyalty, attention to detail and infectious enthusiasm had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the hundreds, if not thousands, of people with whom she worked over the years, leaving every organization better for her being there.
It’s hard to pin down her hobbies, as they were a natural extension of her volunteerism. Family often joked that she was single-handedly keeping Pinterest alive. Nearly every organization, activity or event she volunteered for benefitted from her seeming limitless craftiness and creativity. Her mind and her basement were both full of projects – from inception to completion – for each of these places.
Her passion did not end at crafts or volunteering. Family being a top priority, she invested herself not only in her own family, but in both George P’s and Juli’s families as well. She was a fully-involved, fully-committed wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend. Even friends were certain they were related to Sandy somehow; her bonds with them were so strong.
Sandy is survived by her husband of 50 years, George P. Sullivan; daughter, Juli (Brian) Schultz; granddaughters, Erica and Natalie Schultz; brothers Doug (Darlene) Deyo and Mike (Sherry) Deyo; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Norm and Vera Deyo, and infant daughter, Patricia.