In loving memory of wife, mother and friend, Marion Sutherland

Marion “Mrs Suddy” Miralda Sutherland died on May 31, 2025 at the age of 85 after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer. She is survived by son, Anthony McKay and daughter, Jo-Anne Carlson, siblings Mavis, Olive, Phyllis, Ivette, Son-Son and Elsa, along with grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also mother to a deceased son, David Sutherland.

Marion was born in St. Elizabeth,  Jamaica on November 23, 1937 to William Beckford and Mabel Salmon. She married Juston Lloyd Sutherland on November 26, 1966 and they were together for 54 years before his death in November, 2020.

She lovingly attended her husband in sickness and in health.  Only death separated this loving couple.  She spoke of him often. Marion was a devoted wife, mother, good friend, a shining light in the community, self-sacrificing, kind and most of all, God’s faithful and unwavering servant.

Memories

Marion prided herself in keeping a well organized, clean and welcoming home. She was not a fan of dust, germs or smelly things! A lover of plants, she had an enviable lawn and garden, filled with many blooming flowers and orchids.  Her home was constantly lined with fragrant, beautiful flowers in the car port and to the side of the house.  It was-and still is-an oasis in a busy city. Her cooking will be missed. She could make wood tasty! She was a very wise woman, and was often sought out for advice. She was an example who many tried to emulate. She loved to sing-music was her passion and she had a powerful soprano. She had a thing for Judge Judy and The Saint. 

Marion was sight-impaired, but didn’t let that stop her. When she would drive to the market in Papine, early in the morning, she would use the reflection of the line in the road to guide her while it was dark (we thank God for clearing the streets ahead of her!). When she wasn’t able to read the fine print, she would use a magnifying glass. There were times when she would ask her daughter to tell her when the traffic light changed colour to green so she could cross the intersection. Or read a price label on a product in the supermarket. She never complained; she simply did what she had to in order to get things done.

She was well put together, neat and dignified. She did not believe in throwing anything  away if it still had use. She lived in England with her husband Juston for many years while he pursued his Accountancy studies. She worked at many things, including a shop where she made patterns for brands similar to Butterick that would be turned into dresses, etc. She would model the items, as well.  She made her daughter’s wedding dress, and made her own clothes. She worked in a hospital as a nursing aide. She was a pillar of her church, and a confidant to many.

Marion opened her home to many, including one of her daughter’s best friends who lived in rural Jamaica.  Here is what she has to say:

When it was time to study for the CXC at Campion College, Mrs Suddy was a most gracious hostess. There was always a nutritious hot breakfast to start the day.  And a substantial dinner at the end of the day.  And what is more when we left home for school she ensured we were all satisfied and ready for a successful day. This was a high standard she maintained, proving to be a fine example that has stayed with me even as I have my own school aged children in a busy world.  She treated me as one of her own children.

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.

I remember one night I was having a sneezing bout. And she immediately appeared to re-clean the room and change the bed linen.  Surely enough, the sneezing abated.

When Jo-Anne left Jamaica to pursue higher education in US I missed her terribly, but I was always welcome to come by the house. I can still see Mrs Suddy getting annoyed with the remote control to open the gate, as it would take a few minutes before opening.  And she was eager to greet me with outstretched arms.  

One day, to my utter surprise, Mr and Mrs Suddy had made the drive out to the country to pay a visit to an old friend. As Jo-Anne had come home for a visit.  A very self-sacrificing and thoughtful act.   It delighted her to bring us such delight to both of us.  Longstanding school friends. Through thick and thin.  But that was the person she was.

During the throws of Covid-19, when many closed their homes, Mrs Sutherland greeted us as visitors with open arms. It was our first visit to her as a family since we had our children in Toronto. She was genuinely happy to see us. And welcomed us wholeheartedly. I will always remember her as a woman of kindness, thoughtfulness, who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.

God was her guide, her confidant, and her best friend. In Him, she trusted, when all else failed. She will be remembered as a woman of strong beliefs, bottomless love for those around her and a dominant spirit that could not be denied.

May she rest in peace.