In her new book, “Betty White’s Pearls of Wisdom: Life Lessons from a Beloved American Treasure,” Palos Verdes author, Patty Sullivan presents loving and funny stories paying tribute to her dear friend of 50-plus years.
Sullivan tells readers about White, sharing extraordinary details of their life and friendship. In anticipation of the Peninsula Friends of the Library Literary Weekend and the excitement surrounding the book, we talked to Sullivan to learn more about her life on the Peninsula.
PV Magazine:
Tell us your Palos Verdes Story
Patty Sullivan:
I am a longtime resident of the Peninsula. In 1973, a wonderful writer, Derek L.T. Gill ( “The Boy who Sailed Around the World,”) invited me, my husband, and our two children to his home on Via Almar in Malaga Cove. He wanted to write a story about my husband, Tom Sullivan. The result? We fell in love with Palos Verdes immediately and “If You Could See What I Hear” became a best-selling book, and a major motion picture. There isn’t a day that we don’t thank Derek for introducing us to the beautiful peninsula we have called home for over 40 years.
Our children, Blythe & Tom, Jr. attended RH Country Day, Chadwick, PV High and Bishop Montgomery and are well launched into the adult lives with a firm love of where they grew up. With its spectacular ocean views, clean air, and quality of life, living here is nothing less than a privilege.
In the early 80’s I founded Vistas for Blind Children, developing the “Tom Sullivan, St. Patrick’s Day 10K Run,” which hosted close to 10,000 runners from 1980-1992 in the City of Torrance, raising funds for the Blind Children’s Center of Los Angeles. I am very proud that Vistas continues today, raising money for various children’s charities.
More recently, I have served on the Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation and Community Ministry Boards for over 20 years, and was honored to be elected as Trustee Emeritus.
I am also a Realtor for Vista Sotheby’s, enjoying my career in Residential Sales. My greatest highlight was representing the buyer for Casa Felicia, one of the first homes built on the Peninsula in the early 20’s by the famous Olmstead Brothers who were hired to develop the landscape of the Palos Verdes Project.
Betty White was more than a life-long friend. We met each other on Cape Cod in the summer of 1968, and over more than 50 years of knowing one another, she became our mentor, adopted mother, and Gram III to our children. We were privileged to share so much life, love, and joy until her death on December 31, 2022.
