Laura M. Murillo Sutherland

Laura Sutherland, 47, with her dazzling smile, zest for life and inspiring leadership, left early Tuesday, January 19, 2010, to help make Heaven an even greater home. Despite her many accomplishments in life, there is nothing for which she will be longer remembered, nor more adamantly missed, than her devotion to family.The passionate mother of four – Brooke, Trevor, Brynn and Cole – Laura also leaves behind her husband, Tom. They married April 13, 1991 in a Dallas wedding, rich with Mexican traditions, that still brings broad smiles to the many friends and family that joined to celebrate the beginning of truly unending love.A highlight of this unique relationship was the annual intra-family joke filled competition that existed between the two loyal university graduates – Laura from the University of Texas and Tom from Texas A&M University, with the children always split.While creating the loving and nourishing family, Laura quickly established a successful career in mortgage banking. She continued to unselfishly give leadership and resources to family, friends and many community organizations, including Christ the King Church and School, Shelton School, Ursuline Academy, Junior League of Dallas, and chairing Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital “Treasure Street” and “Zoo to Do.”Her countless friends, many since her Dallas childhood, know well that everywhere she went, fun, laughter and maybe a little mischief always followed. But none had more fun than Laura. She touched and left an indelible mark on numerous lives. Born November 20, 1962 in Dallas to Dr. Sergio and Laura Murillo, Laura was the third of six children. She was raised in Dallas and attended St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul the Apostle and Ursuline Academy. She forever cherished those days at Ursuline serving as a cheerleader for the Jesuit Rangers. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta.Laura is also survived by her parents and five siblings: Sergio, Jr. and wife Esperanza; Jerry; Linda Garcia and husband Eduardo; Karla and Sabrina. The other surviving family members on both sides of the family are too numerous to list.Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 21, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. The Vigil service will be on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas. Funeral Mass is on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. at Christ the King. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Laura Sutherland to Shelton School, Endowment Fund, 15720 Hillcrest, Dallas 75248 or Neurosurgery Research under the direction of Dr. Duke Samson, UT Southwestern Medical Center, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas TX 75391-0888.