Patricia (Sullivan) Brooks of Brewster, formerly of Provincetown and South Boston, died on Feb. 27, 2025 at Accent Care Hospice in Milton. The cause was pulmonary fibrosis. She was 71.
Her family remembers her as a woman of strength and determination, fiercely independent and passionate, who lived life on her own terms.
Patricia was born in Boston on Sept. 5, 1953 to the late George and Alice Brooks. She grew up in a familiy of nine children in South Boston. From an early age, she learned the importance of resilience, loyalty, and standing her ground.
She graduated from South Boston High School in 1971, married James Sullivan in 1974, and raised two daughters.
For 25 years, Patricia poured her heart, soul, and sweat into the Bradford House bed and breakfast in Provincetown, transforming it into a place of warmth, laughter, and good memories for travelers from all walks of life.
Pat welcomed all her guests as part of her family. Mornings on the deck were serene; laughter and the smell of coffee and fresh-baked blueberry muffins filled the air. Everyone checked in with Mama Pat to let her know their plans for the day or how their night went. Pat made sure that her guests left with a story to tell and a reason to return.
Running a guest house was more than a full-time job, but Pat found time for those in need. She co-founded Kitchen Angels in Provincetown, dedicated to providing families with Christmas dinners, trees, and gifts. She was active in Helping Our Women and the AIDS Support Group, always ready to help by filling someone’s oil tank, purchasing an appliance, offering her own coat, or just being a comforting presence.
Over the years, Pat acquired many nicknames: Ma, Mama, Nana, Coupon Trish, Baroness of Bradford Street, Mayor of Provincetown, and Ringleader of the Sh$tshow. She always knew when to say, “Get over yourself.”
Beyond her life as an innkeeper, Pat was an explorer. Provincetown was her anchor, but the world was her playground. She embraced every adventure that came her way and was always on the move, traveling to new places and hunting for treasures in thrift shops.
She loved her weekly bingo nights, going to the supermarket with her coupons, frequent trips to the casino, afternoons at Tea Dance, and simply strolling down Commercial Street stopping to talk to everyone along the way.
After receiving a terminal diagnosis, Pat immediately booked a world cruise. She packed her “Gucci” bag, a.k.a. oxygen tank, and set sail. She traversed many countries, making many friends along the way.
Patricia is survived by her daughters, Rachael Sullivan Sigsbee and husband Carl Sigsbee of Harwich and Paula Sullivan and husband Gerard Daly of Milton; her grandchildren, Tyler Sullivan Prada of Milton, Emma Sullivan Johnson of Harwich, Ryan Czyoski of Harwich, and Sophia Sullivan Daly of Milton; her brothers, George Brooks and wife Joyce of Duxbury, John Brooks of Plymouth, and Gary Brooks and wife Winifred of Plymouth; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was predeceased by her brothers Kenneth Brooks, Ronald Brooks, and Richard Brooks; her sisters Nancy Sassone and Joan Raymond; her former spouse, James Sullivan; and her brother-in-law Salvo, husband of her brother John.
Patricia donated her body to the Boston University School of Medicine Anatomical Gifts Program in hopes of providing valuable information about pulmonary fibrosis for medical education and research.
A celebration of Patricia’s life will be held in Provincetown in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Toys for Tots, the Homeless Prevention Council in Orleans, or any local food pantry.
