Susan Wray Sullivan

Susan Wray Sullivan, 96, of Orchid, FL, and Wilson, WY, passed away peacefully at her Orchid Island home on August 18, 2026. Born to William Donald and Marguerite (nee Macdonald) Wray on November 8, 1929, in Glen Ridge, NJ, she was the middle of three daughters. She was predeceased by her sisters, Donna Wray Dromeshauser and Patricia Wray Keller.

Susan’s childhood was filled with love and adventure. Her father, a former Marine, instilled the importance of physical fitness and competition early on in her life. As a result, she developed a lifelong passion for sports and the great outdoors including tennis, golf, paddle tennis, and fishing. She spent her childhood summers at Wray Lodge on Livingston Lake in the Adirondacks and in Duxbury, MA, and for a few summers worked at Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod.

Susan was a proud graduate of Wells College, Aurora, NY, where she met many friends and remained a devoted alumna and generous supporter for more than sixty years. Her dedication to the school culminated in the creation of the Susan Wray and Pike H. Sullivan Center for Business and Entrepreneurship, and she was awarded the rarely given Wells College President’s Medal.

She married Pike Houston Sullivan, an investment banker, in March of 1952, and raised their two children in Glen Ridge, where they had both grown up. She volunteered at the hospital for several years and became a theater and ballet enthusiast. They spent many years summering at Greenwood Lake, NJ, and Lake George, NY, where competitive Starboat racing and tennis tournaments occupied their days, creating wonderful memories. She was a faithful NY Giants and Rangers fan and could recall the names of every player going back to the 1950s.

Susan and her husband traveled the world, meeting many domestic and foreign dignitaries. Adventures in Africa and Ireland, as well as fly-fishing trips to New Zealand and Argentina, became some of her most beloved memories. At family celebrations, she often recounted her experiences in captivating stories filled with detail and humor.

The couple further explored their passion for all things outdoors when they moved to Wilson, WY, in 1991. There they established many friendships over nearly forty years and became true stewards within the community. Their philanthropic efforts benefited many Wyoming charities and was particularly evident in their longstanding support of the National Wildlife Museum, where the lobby is named in their honor. Susan was also a devoted and enthusiastic donor to the Snow Leopard Trust, the Teton Music Festival, the local animal shelter PAWS, and the Carson Scholars Fund, among many others.

Susan adored her English Labrador retrievers and raised a number of beautiful dogs throughout her life. Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She loved to tell stories of her childhood during the Depression and greatly valued her time spent with grandchildren. She will be remembered for her exceptional generosity and beloved for her warm empathy, her quick humor, and a great sense of style.

Susan is survived by her son, Pike H. Sullivan III, and her daughter, Marguerite Wray Sullivan, and twin grandchildren, Lucy and Andrew, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She will be deeply missed.

To celebrate Susan’s generosity, the family invites you to send a gift in her name to the St. Augustine Wild Reserve. Please learn about this wonderful sanctuary at www.sawildreserve.org/about-us.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.