Elizabeth "Lizzie" Sullivan Kappelman

Elizabeth Hatten Sullivan Kappelman passed away at home after a battle with a rare Metaplastic Breast Cancer.

Elizabeth “Lizzie” was born on August 21, 1973, to Dr. Philip and Martha Sullivan in New Orleans, Louisiana. After graduating from Trinity Episcopal School and Isidore Newman School, she began her college studies at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She transferred to Tulane University in her second year of college, where she majored in Anthropology and met her future husband, Paul Kappelman.

Lizzie went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from Tulane University Freeman School of Business. She then moved briefly to Houston, Texas where she worked in procurement for Compaq, Inc.

After marrying Paul, the two began a partnership that lasted 23 years and moved to Tucson, Arizona. Lizzie worked for IBM until she had her two beautiful daughters, Taylor Anne Kappelman and Alexis Settler Kappelman. She then devoted the next twenty years of her life with Paul caring for her girls and the homes they created.

The Kappelman family lived in Tucson, Arizona, Dallas, Texas, and finally settled in Nashville, Tennessee seven years ago. Lizzie made many friendships in each city they called home. She was invested in creating a beautiful, warm, and loving household that felt welcoming to all. In recent years gardening was a passion, even becoming a Master Gardener. She worked extensively with fundraising and awareness efforts for Type 1 Diabetes as well as Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. She also worked in many volunteer capacities at both her daughters’ schools.

Lizzie is survived by her husband, Paul, two daughters, Taylor Anne and Alexis Settler, her parents Philip and Martha Sullivan, her sister and brother-in-law Alexandra and Matthew Doan, her parents in law, Mark and Susan Kappelman and Hal and Mara Dwin, as well as two stepbrothers in laws, Brad and Evan Dwin. She also leaves behind five nieces and nephews: John and Sarah Doan, Amanda, Ellie, and Sarah Dwin.

The family is so thankful for Lizzie’s amazing team of oncologists, physicians, and nurses, led by Dr. Ben Park. The care she received was remarkable and personal.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/give/314781/#!/donation/checkout.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 11:00 am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205. Details will be shared.