Mary Alphonsus Sutherland

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Alphonsus (Phonsie) Sutherland, just turned 101 years old, of Bedford Nova Scotia. Phonsie passed away peacefully with her rosary clasped in her hand, on October 28th.

She is lovingly remembered by her six children Corinne (Gary Nikota), William (Sandra Ollerhead), Finlay (Roberta Gillis), Rose Anne, Lisa and Stewart. She is also survived by her three beautiful grandsons Colin (Jonathan Miseferi), Devon (Carley) and Benjamin, whom she loved dearly and never hesitated to talk about them with much pride. She will also be missed by our dear cousin Theresa (Donald A) MacLellan.

Phonsie is predeceased by her husband Colin Sutherland of Colindale, Cape Breton and siblings Clare Maclellan, Kaye Murtagh (Jack), Lauchie Blake, Fr. Finlay Maclellan and Duncan Maclellan (Teresa). She was also very close to her many nieces and nephews

Phonsie was born in Margaree, CB and brought up in Port Hood, CB. She studied to be a teacher and taught for several years in and around the Inverness County area, before marrying her best friend and taking on the career of motherhood.

She was a woman of great faith. She spent her life giving to others through her volunteer work with the CWL, Meals on Wheels, the VON and through the mental health community in Dorval, Quebec, where she spent most of her married life. Her ability to bring people together to share her faith was truly a gift she had to allow people to be themselves.

A very special thank you to the staff of lvany Bedford. These wonderful angels (you know who you are) took exceptional care of our mother while she lived there. All of them treated mom like she was their own mother, with kindness, compassion and love. Theirs is a difficult and challenging job and we as a family, appreciate everything they have done for our mother and for us!

Mom loved flowers and sitting by her garden on summer days. She would love a gift of flowers in her name, be given to someone you don't know, residing in a nursing home. You cannot imagine the joy that gift will bring to them. That act of kindness would certainly reflect her kind and generous nature.

A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 6th at 12:15 p.m. at Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish, 1288 Bedford Highway, Bedford, NS. Visitation is from 11 :00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the church. There will also be a Memorial Mass and interment held at a later date in Port Hood, CB.