Maureen Kay Sullivan

Maureen Kay Sullivan, age 63, of Menasha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026.

Born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, Maureen attended Xavier High School, where she proudly played basketball and was part of the 1978 State Championship team. She earned her bachelor's degree from UW Oshkosh before beginning her career in social work.

Maureen carried her competitive spirit and team loyalty with her throughout her life. Appleton was always home in her heart, even as she built her life in Menasha surrounded by the family she cherished so deeply.

She touched many lives in her career in social work. Most recently she was working as a Social Work Specialist with the Winnebago County Family Support Team.

Maureen was the historian of the Sullivan family. If you needed to know a date, a story, a connection, or a memory, she knew it. She carried the family's history with pride and made sure it was never forgotten. She had a gift for remembering the details that mattered and sharing them with warmth and wisdom.

She was known for being the very best gift giver somehow always finding the perfect present, especially the most thoughtful picture frames that would soon hold treasured memories. To her nieces and nephews, she was more than an aunt she treated each of them as her own. And to her great-nieces and nephews, she will forever be remembered as "Auntie Dairy Queen," faithfully delivering gift cards for their favorite ice cream and sweet moments together.

Maureen had a deep love for nature and found peace watching the birds and deer at Heckrodt Nature Preserve. She also had a special place in her heart for all kitties, especially her beloved Mamma Kitty and Basil. Her laugh was unforgettable full, joyful, and contagious and she was always ready with wisdom, perspective, and love when it was needed most.

She is survived by her loving siblings: Mickie Sullivan and her wife Andrea Rubio; Colleen Malkowski; and Daniel Sullivan and his wife Angie Sullivan. She is further survived by her cherished nieces and nephews: Samantha Maass and her husband Cody Maass; Nicole Foate and her husband Eric Foate; Sophie Malkowski and her fiancé Ryan Wesjohn; Brian Sullivan; Owen Sullivan; and Bridget Sullivan. Maureen is further survived by many special friends who she held near and dear to her heart.

She was a proud and devoted great-aunt to Thomas, Cooper, and Laenee Maass; and Lily and Andrew Foate.

Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Daniel Sullivan; her brother-in-law, Tom Malkowski; and her great-niece, Adaleena Maass.

"Cardinals, it's said, fly in from the heavens to remind us that the loved ones we've lost were not lost at all they can be seen around us in new shapes and forms." May we think of Maureen whenever a cardinal appears, a perfect gift is given, laughter fills a room, or a Dairy Queen treat is shared.

The funeral mass for Maureen will take place at St. Pius Catholic Church, Appleton on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:30 am with Fr. Carlos Altamirano officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until 11:15 am at the church. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton at a later date.

Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to ThedaCare Medical Center in Appleton, especially ICU nurse Megan, and to the compassionate staff at Cherry Meadows for the wonderful care they provided to Maureen.

She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.