Erin Marie Sullivan

Erin Sullivan of Hamburg, NY, passed away on August 14, 2026, at the age of 80, leaving behind a family and many dear friends who will remember her for her adventurous spirit, sharp wit, generous heart and extraordinary joie de vivre.

Erin's life was anything but ordinary. She was born in Buffalo’s First Ward, and spent her teenage years in the Kensington area. An impassioned student, Erin graduated from Mount Mercy Academy, and then went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Buffalo State University, followed by a Masters in Education from California State University, Long Beach. It was there in California that Erin began her teaching career, which continued overseas in Germany and Turkey, where she lived for several years. After returning to the United States, she transitioned into a successful business consulting career, a path that took her to Boston, Verona, NJ and Mississauga, Ontario, to name a few! No matter where Erin lived, her family was never far behind, often planning their summer vacations around wherever she happened to call home that year.

And Erin was always ready to go somewhere new herself. Her lifelong wanderlust took her around the world, with adventures spanning nearly every continent. She loved experiencing new cultures, cuisines and people, and she rarely returned from a trip without a treasure trove of souvenirs and stories to share. That sense of discovery was woven into everything she did. Erin was forever curious and eager to know what was new, whether that meant following world events, exploring a new restaurant or testing out the latest piece of technology.

For all of her adventures, Erin also loved being home. She tended her garden, adored the cats who shared her life over the years, experimented in the kitchen and loved gathering family and friends around her table—squeezing in as many people as humanly possible. She was a wonderful host and knew how to make a gathering feel like an occasion.

To her family, Erin was the true matriarch. After losing her birth mother at just 10 years old, she helped care for her younger siblings, beginning a lifelong instinct to look after the people she loved. That instinct stayed with her throughout her life. She was fiercely independent, endlessly curious and never afraid to share her opinion, but beneath her candor was a genuine desire to see the people around her thrive. She offered wisdom, encouragement and a gentle nudge to enjoy yourself along the way.

Erin also treasured her friendships, many of which spanned decades. She built a life rich in meaningful relationships and was the kind of person whose presence made things more interesting, more lively and always more fun.

Erin will be deeply missed by her sister, Lauran Sullivan (Michael Reilly), her brother, Edward (Kathleen) Sullivan, and her cherished nieces and nephew. She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth (Robert) Williams. She also leaves behind many loving, lifelong friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 5090 Transit Road, Depew, NY 14043, to celebrate Erin's life and share their favorite memories.

Erin's legacy will live on in the curiosity she sparked, the people she cared for, the family traditions she created and the courage she inspired in those around her to live a little more boldly. She wouldn't have it any other way.