Obituary of Therese Sutherland

With heavy hearts we announce that after a brief illness, surrounded by family, our beloved mother and grandmother, Therese (Marie Bertha Therese) Sutherland (nee Verreault) passed away peacefully on July 19^th , 2023.

Born October 20^th 1940 in Lac-au-Saumon, Quebec, Mom later moved to Hearst, Ontario, where she met and married her husband Neal Sutherland. Throughout their lives, they moved around the country extensively and in every place, in every way Mom achieved excellence. From being a mother, a book-keeper, operating a half-way house and a group home, a caterer, a restaurant operator, and a hotelier; her life was rich with diverse experience.

Mom was the bedrock and foundation of our family. She raised her children with love and surrounded her people with affection, self-deprecating humour, and she performed culinary miracles in her kitchen. She was all about acts of service for her loved ones.

A kind and very gentle woman, but with an ever-present strength and sense of self, Mom imparted those same values on her children and grandchildren, who she adored. She vigorously celebrated (and occasionally boasted of) her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, and held her family up in prayer through their rough patches.

Mom lived for her family and we always knew how immensely she enjoyed reveling in those social and sing along times at family gatherings, by the shine in her eyes and her beautiful smile. She loved laughter, conversation and song, but most of all, she loved us.

Words will never capture what she meant to her family and friends, and we treasure our many happy memories of her, but her loss will always be keenly felt. We will always hold her in our hearts.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Charles and Dina, her brother Marc, and her husband Neal. She is survived by her sisters Adele and Aline, her son Michel Sutherland (wife Chody) and her daughter Arlene Morton (husband Michael) and her seven grandchildren Brenna Sutherland, Connor Sutherland, Megan Morton (Andrew McKenna), Aislinn Morton, Quinn Sutherland, Elizabeth Morton and Cavanaugh Sutherland.

Mom’s later years were spent at Willow Creek Lodge, where she served for a significant time as President of the residents’ association and made many friends. We are grateful to the staff there for all their wonderful care. We are also deeply grateful to the Doctors, Nurses and support staff at Red Deer and Stettler hospitals for the amazing care mom received, and the support provided to her family, in her final days. 

The family will hold a private memorial at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Canadian Liver Foundation at

https://secure.liver.ca/site/TR/DIY/DIYFundraising2023?px=1125761&pg=personal&fr_id=1212

or The Stettler Hospital Foundation - Palliative Suite. Information to donate here

https://www.stettlerhealthfoundation.com/donate-now/