Obituary of Doris SUTHERLAND

Doris Mildred (Brent) Sutherland April 4, 1927 to December 2, 2015 It is with a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of our beloved little Mom, Doris Mildred (Brent) Sutherland, on December 2, 2015, in her 89th year. The only child of the late Stanley Jarmain Brent and Ellen Mary Alexander of Sarnia, Mom was pre-deceased by her husband of 60 years, James Shannon Sutherland, who passed away on January 31, 2011. Mom was a gentle soul with a quiet strength that was an inspiration to all of us. Mom will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her five children: Virginia (Gini) Sutherland (Tom Hemsworth) of Woodstock; Nancy Wainman (Dan) and Susan Sutherland (Ken Burns) of Kingston; Jamie Sutherland (Sue) of New Plymouth, New Zealand; and Bonnie Sutherland (Sean Cassidy) of Lake Echo, Nova Scotia. Mom was a proud and devoted grandmother to Melissa, Sandra and Christina Sinclair; Maryanne Wainman; Cory and Calum Sutherland; Cian and Keira Sutherland Cassidy; and great-grandmother to Georgia and Cody Lyon, Jesse Garrison and Leo Reid. Petite and somewhat shy, Mom played a surprising variety of sports, including women s hockey, lacrosse, volleyball and basketball, while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She had a keen interest in community service, and throughout the happy, lively, busy years raising five children, Mom volunteered as a Brownie leader, was involved in Early Childhood Education, Sunday School, the Kingston Skating Club, the local Horticultural and Genealogical Societies, the Kingston Gaelic Society, and was a long-time member of the Trefoil Guild and University Women s Club. In later years, Mom served as General Manager for the Rob Roy Pipe Band and Highland Dancers, Vice-President and then President of the Kingston & District Folk Arts Council, and volunteered as a Community Food Advisor. She also served on the Ontario Folk Arts Council and the Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism. Mom received a Silver Jubilee Medal from the City of Kingston in recognition of her many contributions to the community. Mom had a delightful artistic side as well, encouraging us with wonderful crafts projects in our childhoods and pursuing her own painting, basketry and other crafts throughout her life. Mom inspired us and so many others with her passion for and dedication to family and to the community. A very special thank you to the caregivers who were such an important part of Mom s life in recent years. We would especially like to thank our dear friend, Lauren Childerhose, for her compassionate care and companionship. Also deserving of thanks are Natalie Ponte for so generously sharing chocolate, sunsets, music and laughter with Mom; Debbie Land for her amazing culinary talents; and long-time caregiver Scott Dombrowski for his loyal support through the years. We also wish to acknowledge the kindness and support of the residents and staff at the Waterford Retirement Residence over the past year; and the Palliative Care Team, especially Dr. Roddy Davey, for providing Mom with expert, compassionate medical care during her final days. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring, when the birds and butterflies Mom loved so much return from their winter homes. For now, we are comforted knowing our dear little Mom is at peace.