Obituary of Charlotte McDonald Sutherland
Charlotte (Lottie) McDonald Sutherland (nee Cameron) was born in Glasgow, Scotland on August 3, 1925 to the late Alexander and Charlotte Cameron. She is predeceased by her siblings Alan, Isobel, James and Andrew, is survived by her sister Jess (Jack Carruthers) and her sisters-in-law Maureen Cameron and Priscilla Mackenzie.
Loving wife of 73 years to the late Robert (Bob) Sutherland and dear mother of Angus (Sandra) Rhona (Hugh Gale) and Ruth. Loving Grandma to Shona (Jason Spencer), Bonnie (Seth Veenstra), Struan (Nicole Steeves) and Grace Sutherland, Bryan (Jen) Gale, Emily (Ian Kennedy), and Daniel Krawchuk (Amanda).
Very special Great Grandma of Callum Sutherland, Rowan Veenstra, Cameron and Liam Gale and Rachel and Matthew Kennedy.
Aunt Lottie is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews in Canada, Great Britain, and New Zealand.
Lottie grew up in Glasgow and met Bob during WWII when he was serving in Scotland with the Royal Canadian Navy. She was working as a telephone operator and joined bucket brigades fighting fires during the war. After the war, Lottie immigrated to Canada in 1948 to marry Bob and raise a family.
Throughout her long and active life, Lottie will be remembered for her work in the Presbyterian churches of Elora, Woodstock, Westport and Kingston, where over the years she taught Sunday School, sang in the choirs, led CGIT, Explorers, Young Peoples and was honored with a Lifetime membership in the Women’s Missionary Society. She also was a supply preacher and fund-raiser for the WMS and church camps.
She had an interest in politics, running for the Liberal Party in Oxford County and serving on the Oxford County Board of Education.
Her career path took her from working in restaurants to being Quality Control Supervisor at Harvey Woods, promotions manager for the Woodstock BIA and became the first woman president of the Industrial Management Clubs of Canada. She and Bob opened a Scottish gift shop in Woodstock and when they moved to Westport in 1987, they added a tea room to the shop, where Lottie became famous for her scones and butterscotch pie. She also catered many events and for a short while had a tearoom in Smiths Falls. When they moved to Kingston in 2011 Lottie continued her work in the church and also her baking. When in residence at Kingsdale Chateau and lately in Arbour Heights, she continued to share her creative talents and baking with staff and residents.
A Celebration of Lottie’s life with be held on Thursday, August 3rd (her 98th birthday) at James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd. Visitation will be from 12:30 until the service begins at 2:00 pm. Donations in Lottie’s memory may be made to the Women’s Missionary Society (donate here), St. John’s Presbyterian Church (by cheque) or Presbyterian World Service (donate here).
Interment to follow at McNeil Cemetery in Priceville Ontario at a later date.
Lottie's service can be attended virtually in the comfort of your own home via our livestream by using this link. SERVICE LINK
