Elizabeth Mecham Sullivan

Elizabeth “Buffie” Mecham Sullivan passed away at her home surrounded by family on September 15, 2024, in Lakeside, California at the age of 90, just a few weeks before her 91st birthday. Her family and friends are left behind to celebrate her lovely life and mourn this time away from her until we see her again.

Elizabeth Mecham was born on October 12, 1933, in Thatcher, Arizona to Lester and Adelia Mecham. She was the last of four children, and dearly loved her siblings Olive, Gladys and Gale. She had a happy life growing up on the small family farm. As she got older, a young niece couldn’t pronounce Elizabeth, and the nickname “Buffie” was born. She graduated from Thatcher High School, attended Brigham Young University for a year and graduated from Beauty School at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher.

A friend invited Buffie to join her in Hawaii to work in a beauty salon. Buffie dearly wanted to go and was surprised when her mother encouraged her to do so. Thus began a magical time in her life that resulted in her lifelong love for the islands. A wonderful part of this Hawaiian dream was meeting a handsome Navy dentist who became her husband, Frank Sullivan, and another chapter of her life began. They married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on December 16, 1957, moved from Hawaii a year later, and within two years they settled in Hemet, California, where they raised their four children- Marc, Matt, Colleen and Malia. This was a wonderful time and place where she and her family developed many lifelong friendships. She served in many ways, both formally in several church callings and informally as she loved and served those around her. The passing of Frank in 1993 was very difficult, but with her faith and prayers, she got through this challenge and was able to have many more fulfilling years. Her love of service grew and she created more memories and friendships. She served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Winnipeg, Canada; Adelaide, Australia; and Boston, Massachusetts.

She was sad to leave Hemet several years ago after 57 years in the community that she loved dearly and that certainly loved her back. The next few years, she spent time with her daughters in Murrieta and Lakeside, where she found more people to love, serve and call her friends. Her last few years were spent in her private home, built especially for her, next to Malia.

Characteristics of “Oma”, as her grandchildren lovingly call her, include her kind encouragement, ability to give fun nicknames, witty comments and small laugh that makes her shoulders shake. Her greatest loves are the Lord, missionary work, serving others, making pies and especially her family. We will dearly miss this lovely lady that we are blessed to call Mom, Oma, aunt and friend. She is surely having a wonderful reunion with her husband, Frank, and so many loved ones that have gone before her, and we look forward to our reunion with her one day.

Buffie is preceded in death by her husband Frank, parents Adelia and Lester, brother Gale (Jane), sisters Olive (Laddie) and Gladys (Harold), and many cousins. She is survived by her loving children Marc (Jill) Sullivan, Matt (Laura) Sullivan, Colleen (David) Payne and Malia (Steve) Jenkins and many adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A gathering for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 27 from 9:30-10:45 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 24820 Las Brisas Road, Murrieta, California.

Funeral Service online viewing will be available at 11:00 am Pacific Time: https://murrietastake.com/sullivan

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by going to churchofjesuschrist.org.