Mary "Beth" Elizabeth Sullivan

Mary Beth was born on August 31, 1950 in Buffalo, New York, the sixth of Paul and Betty (née Harrington) Sullivan’s eight children. When she was 7, her family moved to Salisbury, MD where she graduated from St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in 1968 and went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland University College in 1972.

Mary Beth’s career began as a Hill staffer first with Congressman William A. Barrett (D-PA) and then with his successor, Congressman Michael “Ozzie” Myers (D-PA). She then moved to the Transportation Institute in the early eighties. While there, she decided on a career change and enrolled in Georgetown University Law Center. She graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctorate in 1987. Mary Beth practiced law for a few years first with Baker & McKenzie and then with Schmeltzer, Aptaker & Shepard PC but her passion and interest in public policy and the legislative process drew her back to Capitol Hill. In 1994, she was hired as Legislative Counsel with the California Institute for Federal Policy Research, a non-partisan information resource on federal policy impacting California. CI was an especially important resource for the California delegation to the House of Representatives. Mary Beth worked at CI for the rest of her career, the last ten years as Executive Director. She often remarked that one of the most fulfilling parts of this job was introducing young people who were chosen as Fellows from the California State University System to Washington and the legislative process.

Mary Beth was an amazing soul. Wicked smart, generous, and quick witted and also feisty and formidable were just some of her amazing traits. She was also the “cool” aunt and the family friend whose kids would always confide in her first. She was a wonderful cook and master griller especially on a Weber kettle. She had a virulent hatred of mustard but a grand appreciation for foie gras and a good gin martini. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed cruising. For many years, she was a Eucharistic Minister at Annunciation Catholic Church in Washington, DC. She was also a longtime past Board President of the Glover Park Condominium Association, fondly referred to as “the playhouse.” Most importantly though, Mary Beth was a long and dear friend to many.

Nothing was more important to Mary Beth than her family. She adored and spoke often of her seven brothers: Thump, Tuck, Seldom, Silk, Flash, Roy Iffininy and Suds. (Due to the promise of severe repercussions, Mary Beth’s moniker was “Mary Beth.”) Even though having a sister in their midst meant that the family was two short to field their own baseball team, Mary Beth proved an invaluable player in “herding the cats” as the years went by.

Mary Beth is survived by three brothers, Mark (Annie) of Cambridge, MD, Kevin (Kate) of Buffalo, NY and John (Cindy) of Salisbury, MD as well as 22 nieces and nephews, 21 great nieces and nephews, Dodger, her Maine Coon cat, and many, many long time friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers Paul, Tom, Jim and Terry.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, January 18th, at 1 pm at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church at 535 Riverside Drive, Salisbury, MD. The service will be followed by an Irish wake at a location to be determined. Private interment will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship’s Brudder Sullivan Fund (https://www.friendshiphospital.com/whoweare/our-mission-and-community-involvement/).