Obituary of Virginia Sullivan Bradt

Virginia Sullivan Bradt was born on Friday, April 13, 1928 in San Jose, CA, and died on Saturday, February 20, 2021, in Los Gatos, CA. Virginia was a 6th generation Californian, and grew up on the family’s apricot ranch in Hollister. Her father, Bartholomew James Sullivan, was a proud Irishman who was raised in Cienega and worked as one of Hollister's town pharmacists for 60 years at Whalen’s Drug Store on San Benito St. Her mother, Kathryn Brown Sullivan -- who was Irish as well -- was a homemaker and part-time teacher. Virginia attended Hollister schools and Notre Dame Academy in Watsonville, and she also took classes at San Jose State, and West Valley College. During her husband Don's retirement, the couple traveled around the Western United States and lived on Indian reservations where Don worked as a relief doctor, and Ginnie studied Native American culture at the local colleges. More than anything, Virginia enjoyed family holidays and get-togethers, and she was considered the “official” family historian due to her great knowledge and interest in genealogy. She was a world traveler and loved to read, the British Monarchy being a favorite subject. Virginia is survived by her dear brother, Tim Sullivan, and his wife, Marth of El Cajon, as well as her children and their spouses: Thomas Sharp and daughter-in-law, Nancy of Campbell; Andrew Sharp of Hollister; Caroline Slivkoff and son-in-law, Jay of Los Gatos; Jim Loofbourrow of Lompoc (husband of deceased step-daughter, Linda Lee), Peter Bradt and daughter-in-law, Nancy, of Phoenix and Ted Bradt and daughter-in-law, Destiny of Penn Valley. "Grandma Ginnie" was the proud grandmother of Samantha Sharp, Andrea Sharp, Jacob Bradt, Ethan Loofbourrow, Evan Loofbourrow, Storm Slivkoff, Ava Slivkoff, Darby Sharp, Josiah Bradt, and Angelica Bradt, and she was great-grandmother to Ginger, Ophelia, Aryanna, Andrew, Aiden, Abigail, Wyatt and Judah. She was also an aunt to many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Gurdon Bradt (Don), daughter Claudia Jean Sharp, and sister Carol O’Brien. There will be no public memorial service, however, Virginia was very proud to be 100% Irish, so on St. Patrick's Day, raise your glass and toast to her very long and happy life. Slàinte!☘️ Virginia requested that any contributions in her name go to these deserving organizations: • The Community Food Bank of San Benito 1133 San Felipe Rd. Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 637-0340 www.communityfoodbankofsbc.org/donation • Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County 800 Ohlone Parkway Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 722-7110 https://www.thefoodbank.org • St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, South Dakota 1301 North Main Street Chamberlain, SD 57325 1-800-584-9200 www.stjo.org Family services will be private. Covid rules will apply.