Mary Abeel Sullivan, the breeder and owner of MGISW Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic), has passed at the age of 94.
The cherished youngest child of a prominent Hackensack, New Jersey family, Mary had three older siblings, Forster, Edith and Alice. Her family and loved ones said she never “participated,” but rather dominated her pursuits. She was active in the children's theater and ice skating. Her love of horses followed, along with tennis and golf.
She married George Brewster, also of Hackensack in the late 1940's. George was the son of William John Brewster, the well-known road contractor that built most of the highways in the northern part of the state.
In 1950, pregnant with her first child, William (Bill) Brewster, she began playing golf. By the time her second son Bobby was born four years later, she would be on her way to winning many titles in the Women's New Jersey League. She would also celebrate eight consecutive wins as Arcola Country Club champion. Along the way, her third son John would be born in 1962.
Mary wed Bob “Sully” Sullivan in the early 1970's, which brought Bob's children, Jeff and Lynn into the family. Bob and Mary shared a joyous life until Sully's passing a few years ago.
Among Mary's greatest joys were her grandsons William (Billy), Matthew and Patrick Brewster. William and his wife Beata gifted her with three great-grandchildren Harry, Teddy and Warren. She was finally blessed with the gift of a girl, Sophia Emma by Patrick and his wife, Maria Garrahan Brewster.
It's difficult not to think of Mary and her Thoroughbreds. For over 35 years, she bred and raced under the name of Sullimar Stable, in some of the most famous venues including Churchill Downs, Saratoga, Belmont Park and Gulfstream Park, to name a few.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Old Friends in Lexington, Kentucky.
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