Myrna Kay Sutherland
In the early hours of Friday,
Oct 5, 2012, after a 22 year battle with cancer, our beloved Myrna Kay Sutherland of Williams Lake passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 56. She was predeceased by her father Roland Clearwater of Steep Rock, Manitoba who died in 1985 and her mother-in-law Susan Sutherland who died in 1998. She is survived by her mother Muriel Clearwater of Winnipeg, Manitoba, her brother Glenn Clearwater of Steep Rock, Manitoba and a loving family; husband Jim Sutherland, son Neil Sutherland, daughter Heather Peterson, son-in-law Scott Peterson, grandson Earl James Peterson, and granddaughter Ella Sue Peterson - all of Williams Lake. She will also be remembered by her father-in-law James Sutherland of Yuma, Arizona, sister-in-law Corry Williams of Williams Lake and other family members and many close friends.
Myrna was born in Ashern, Manitoba on January 11, 1956. She grew up in the small town of Steep Rock, Manitoba. She and her brother Glen were bused to high school at the nearby town of Moosehorn. When she was in the ninth grade she met and became friends with her future husband Jim Sutherland who was living with his parents at the Canadian Forces base at Gypsumville. Jim moved from the area at the end of that school year but returned for a visit in 1973 where he reunited with Myrna. Soon after, he phoned his mother to declare that he had “met the girl he was going to marry.” And he did. They were married on May 8, 1976 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
They set up house in Thunder Bay, Ontario where Jim was finishing his Forestry degree. While in Thunder Bay, Myrna started working for the Royal Bank and continued to work for the bank until her passing. In 2001 she was named top performer through the Royal Performance Awards program and was awarded a Caribbean cruise for two. Like all the times they shared together, Jim and Myrna thoroughly enjoyed their Caribbean vacation. Myrna and Jim were happily married for over 36 years.
Myrna’s life was far too short but it was full of love, family and friends. Above all, Myrna was a happy and vibrant person. To know her was to love her. The day she died the earth became a little dimmer but heaven became a whole lot brighter.
Myrna’s service was held on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at St. Andrews United Church in Williams Lake. A heart-felt and befitting eulogy was given by her sister-in-law and very dear friend, Corry Williams. She is now resting with her mother-in-law Susan Sutherland in the Williams Lake cemetery.