Helene Marie Burri Sullivan
February 18, 1933 - November 9, 2015
A resident of Santa Barbara, California since 1937 died November 9th, 2015. She was born in Basel, Switzerland to the late Alfred Theodore Burri-the American counsel at Basel, Switzerland and his wife Marian Henry Burri. When her father retired from the U.S. State Department, the family settled in Santa Barbara building a home near the Old Mission. Helene attended Roosevelt Elementary School, La Cumbre Junior High School and graduated from Santa Barbara High School with the class of 1950. (always a Don!) For the rest of her life she enjoyed many friends from these school days. She considered it a privilege to live in Santa Barbara. She was particularly interested in the business world. She served as the Corporation Controller and an Officer of a Fortune Five Hundred company (Sambo's Restaurants, Inc.) for twelve years. She then became the Accountant for the Ranchero's Visitadores for thirty years. She helped form an investment club composed of contemporary friends and served as President for two terms. For several years she was President of Sullivan Travel Service, Inc. Helene was a talented musician. She played the piano and violin, accompanied the double male quartet at SBHS and sang in an award winning acappella chorus. She was a volunteer for Friends of the Lobero and the Santa Barbara Symphony League. She also enjoyed gardening (especially Orchids) and reading. Her marriage to John J. Sullivan (a Santa Barbara General Building Contractor who pre-deceased her) brought many years of happiness to her life. Together they traveled around the world, shared an interest in Thoroughbred horse racing, enjoyed other sporting events and their many friends. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Cornell of Carlsbad, CA. Her sister Mary Lou Sharp pre-deceased her. In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held. Final interment will be at Santa Barbara Cemetery. A donation may be made in her memory, to Santa Barbara Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, 222 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or the Humane Society of Santa Barbara, 5399 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
A resident of Santa Barbara, California since 1937 died November 9th, 2015. She was born in Basel, Switzerland to the late Alfred Theodore Burri-the American counsel at Basel, Switzerland and his wife Marian Henry Burri. When her father retired... View Obituary & Service Information