Crystal Dawn Marie Kathleen Sutherland

Crystal Dawn Marie Kathleen Sutherland was born in Pacoima Hospital, Los Angeles, California on June 4th, 1969. Crystal spent her childhood in California, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington State, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and Italy. She graduated in 1987 from Torrejon American High School in Madrid, Spain. After graduation she joined the U.S. Army and served two years active duty, six years reserve duty for the Oregon and Texas National Guard, and six months active duty in Germany during the Gulf War. Crystal also attended the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Textiles and Fashion design. At the time of her death, she was employed by the University of Texas in student health services, where she worked for many years among friends.

Crystal was a very talented artist and clothing designer. She created many beautiful wearable items for family and friends throughout the years. She also crafted artwork that she would often give as gifts to her friends and relatives. Later in life she learned how to crochet, and enjoyed crocheting blankets and giving them away as gifts as well.

Crystal was a lover of animals and exhibited a great deal of compassion towards them. Her favorite animals were cats and dogs. She considered the pets she had in her life as her children. At the time of her death, she lived with her beloved dog, Violet.

Crystal was a loving granddaughter to her grandmother, Josephine. In the past several years after her grandmother's stroke in 2011, Crystal would spend her vacation during the summer visiting and helping care for her every year.

Crystal had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and had many great adventures wherever she went. One of which was getting to see Pope John II in Vatican City almost close enough to touch him, the way she told the story. One of her most life changing experiences was when she visited Lourdes, France with a church youth group as a teenager. Crystal said that when she was at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes she had a very deep spiritual experience, devotion to the Mary Queen of Heaven and it shaped her generous nature.

Crystal is survived by her mother, Brillante Murphy. Grandmother, Josephine Murphy of Salem, Oregon. Former partner, Jeremy McIntosh of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brother, Michael Strange of Salem, Oregon. Niece, Savannah Saunders-Moguel of Salem, Oregon. Goddaughter, Jolene Boedigheimer of Salem, Oregon. Aunt, Kassandra Monks of Salem, Oregon. Uncle, Raul Murphy of McMinnville, Oregon. Aunt, Margaret Murphy-Boedigheimer of Salem, Oregon. As well as four cousins all residing in Oregon and many many more who loved her.

Rosary will be Saturday September 24th – She wore a Miraculous Medal that she never took off and believed in Angels and the power of prayer. Funeral services will be Sunday September 25th at ten o'clock at Cook-Walden Funeral Home 6100 N. Lamar Blvd Austin Texas, 78752