Sharon LIPPOLIS

Sharon Lippolis Sullivan

Sharon's 2011 Autobiography

Who would have thought that Sharon Lippolis would leave Westport and all that was familiar to spend most of her life in Vermont? Four years at Trinity College in Burlington convinced me that I loved this place. I married my college boyfriend and moved to Rhode Island. We spent time with our families in Westport and North Stonington, but a career opportunity helped us decide to return to Vermont. Our two daughters, Katy and Jennifer, were 6 and 2. The time was right. I made a home for my family and was happy to be back. We welcomed every snowstorm and went skiing each weekend. Along the way, the marriage ended. I focused on raising the girls and building a career. I studied accounting at the University of Vermont and joined the workforce at a John Deere dealership, of all things. Just picture the excavators and bucket loaders in the yard and me in my high heels. As my career progressed, I moved into management and became controller of a soap manufacturer that made private label bar soap for national companies. It was an unexpected but satisfying career path.

For fun, I have gone whitewater rafting, scuba diving, and flying in a hot air balloon. My daughters studied in Europe so I visited Vienna and East Berlin. Other trips were special in their own ways, but Italy spoke to my Italian heart. Closer to home, I am a UVM Men’s Hockey fan, and I have been known to cheer enthusiastically. Rock and roll music still makes me want to dance.

Sadly, my mother died in 2002 of cancer. Soon after, Dad had a mild stroke and began his decline into dementia. I took care of him in his home for 3 ½ years until he needed more assistance than I could provide. Now, he is 90 years old and is living in a nursing home near me. Through all of this, my daughters and their husbands helped me so much. Being welcomed into their homes and their lives gave me energy to meet the challenges that I faced and precious time with my grandchildren. Sara 13, Cole 6, Sonia 5, and Gavin 3 are bright, energetic, fun, and they love their “Grammy”. Time with them is my greatest joy!