Kristy Lynne (Tapke) Sullivan

CARTHAGE – Kristy Lynne Sullivan, 54, of Deer River Road, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 18, 2024 under the loving care of her family and Lewis County Hospice. 

Calling hours will be held on Saturday July 20, 2024 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., 5702 Waters Road, Lowville.  A celebration of life service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at River of Life Fellowship, Copenhagen, with a meal to follow.  Contributions in her memory may be made to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY  13367; or to River of Life Fellowship, 9871 Number Three Road, Copenhagen, NY  13626.

She is survived by her husband, Gary; two children Cole and his wife, Caitlin Sullivan of Carthage; Terra Sullivan of Carthage; her parents, Edward and Gloria Tapke of Carthage; her sisters and their husbands, Susan and Jeff Carroll of Copenhagen; Jaime and Mark Fagan of Sackets Harbor; her father-in-law Charles Sullivan of Carthage; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike and Joyce Sullivan of Carthage; Jeff and Darcie Sullivan of Champion; Kevin and Amy Sullivan of Carthage; Scott and Sandy Sullivan of Carthage; many nieces, nephew and cousins.  She is predeceased by her mother-in-law, Shirley Sullivan.

Kristy was born on August 5, 1969 in Watertown, NY, a daughter of Edward David and Gloria Jean Hunter Tapke.  She graduated from Copenhagen Central School in 1987, Paul Smith’s College in 1989, and SUNY Cortland in 1991.  She later earned her Master’s degree in Childhood Education from SUNY Cortland.  While in high school she played soccer and golf, and was a cheerleader, and played soccer in college.  Kristy worked at Camp Wabasso while in school.    On September 7, 1996 she married Gary D. Sullivan at Woolworth Memorial United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with Rev. Bruce W. Chapman officiating.  Kristy was an adjunct professor at Jefferson Community College, worked at the NYS Zoo at Thompson Park, and worked for Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust.  She was a pre-school teacher at Hand In Hand in Lowville, and most recently was pre-school teacher at Copenhagen Central School.  She was a Refit instructor locally.  Together with her husband, the couple owned and operated Sullivan’s Heifer Hotel.

Kristy was a member of River of Life Fellowship Church in Copenhagen, where she was children’s church coordinator.  She was a member of the Board of Directors at Cornell Cooperative Extension, serving as Vice President, and was a member of Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust.  Kristy coached AYSO soccer when her children were little.

Kristy loved all things in the outdoors, her garden, birds, butterflies and bugs.  She loved children and sports.  Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Condolences may be shared with Kristy’s family at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com .

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.