Jane Sutherland Memorial

Sat, Feb 6, 2021 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm


Many thanks to all who came to memorial service for Jane Sutherland on Saturday 6 February.

 

 

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Obituary

Jane Sutherland – August 7, 1927 – January 5, 2021

Jane Sutherland died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Vancouver at the age of 93. A remarkable woman ahead of her time, she was born to the late Dr. Clarence E. Hill and Margaret Hill, the third child and only daughter. She met her ex-husband, the late Robert A. F. Sutherland at the U. of Toronto where she graduated with a BA in Sociology in 1950. They had four children, David (Shelley), Peter (Francesca), Kate (Evan), and Stephen (Barbara). While the kids were young, she returned to school and studied Early Childhood Education and later Human Relations. She worked with children and subsequently taught Early Childhood Education. She received her MEd from The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in her forties. Eventually she became a psychotherapist (training at TIHR).

Dealt a hand of privilege before feminism had opened Canada for women somewhat, she quietly sought and created roles and careers that had value and relevance for positive social change. Wherever she was, she worked to develop community including co-housing in the 70s, opening her home for TORI community gatherings and as a safe house for monthly gatherings of lesbians in the 80s, and her committed participation in her dream group, women’s groups, book clubs, covenant group, and more. She practised yoga and meditation, and explored Buddhism and Unitarianism. Her volunteer work in hospice care, ESL and adult literacy received an award from the Ontario government.

Jane was passionate about people, the arts, spirituality, and adventure. She explored Canada, camped and kayaked, visited Russia, India, Europe, Scotland and the Galapagos Islands. In her seventies she left Toronto for Vancouver to live closer to her three grandchildren, Sam Sutherland, Ben Sutherland and Emma Renaerts.

Jane will be very much missed by her children, grandchildren, niece Leslie Hill, extended family, neighbours, former colleagues and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to The David Suzuki Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, and FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting.

 


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