Patricia M. "Patti" Sullivan Sheriff

Patricia M. "Patti" Sheriff, 72, quietly passed away at home on her 27th wedding anniversary, on Friday, November 18, 2016, after a five year battle with cancer. She was born in White Plains, NY, on January 28, 1944, the daughter of Edward J. and Edna M. Sullivan.

Patti is survived by her husband, Stephen M. Sheriff of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Amy E. Collins and husband, Navy Capt. Kenneth Collins of Alexandria, VA; son, Christopher M. Crookham and wife, Tracie of Knoxville, TN; daughter, Alison R. Davis and husband, Ethan J. Davis of Apex, NC; 7 grandchildren; Kenneth C. Collins III, and his wife Bomin Son Collins, Stephanie E. Collins, Emily Crookham Trabold, and her husband, John S.Trabold, Joseph M. Crookham, Emerson J. Davis, Ella C. Davis and Bennett S. Davis; and brother, Peter M. Sullivan of Bayport, NY.

Patti was her husband’s wife, love of his live, best friend, first mate, fishing buddy, counsellor, cheerleader and teacher.

Her immense energy, tenacity, love, joy and faith have touched nearly everyone she has known, and many others who were helped by her unknowingly. In the 27 years she has been in Raleigh she has touched thousands of lives in her many callings; as Volunteer Chair for the North Carolina Symphony, Volunteer and participant at Rex Hospital Pulmonary rehab and maintenance programs, NC Senior Games event manager, long term member of the Bible Study Fellowship(BSF) family, dedicated horse owner and rider and volunteer at many horse shows and judging events, Broughton High School Band parent, supporter of her grandchildren’s local schools and many more.

Prior to coming to Raleigh her pattern was the same. As a long time RN in dozens of facilities across the U.S, and Nursing professor at Great Basin College in Nevada, or student at White Plains High School in NY, or Boston College school of Nursing, or raising and supporting her family as a single Mom working three jobs at a time, or hunting with friends, or as Concertmaster of the Westchester County Symphony.

Throughout her life Patti cherished her friends and family. She overlooked minor issues and always focused on seeing the good in everyone she knew and everyone she loved. In doing so she gathered so very many true friends. It is clear that very many people loved this lady.

Patti’s family will miss her incredibly. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609, and also immediately prior to the service from noon to 1pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at the funeral home, with a service following at 1pm. Burial at Pine Forest Memorial Garden in Wake Forest, NC, will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the NC Symphony, 3700 Glenwood Ave., Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612; or to SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Ln., Raleigh, NC 27603.