(October 9, 1985 – August 8, 2018)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah May Sutherland on August 8th 2018 at the age of 32, peacefully and with family near her side. Sarah waged a life-long but tireless battle with Cystic Fibrosis. In the end, she ran out of time, not courage, strength or the will to fight.
Sarah was the beloved wife of John Sutherland and cherished daughter of Carolyn and Andrew Gordon, sister of Adam Gordon, granddaughter of Walter & Joan Ferguson and the late Robert & Eleanor Gordon and pack-leader to her three dogs Mia, Reggie and Lucy. She is also survived by a loving extended family, including her nieces with whom she had a close relationship, and a large circle of friends who held a special place in her heart.
Sarah was many things: a Registered Nurse, accomplished equestrian, odds-defying lung transplant survivor and perennial fundraiser for CF research. But above all, Sarah was full of love and compassion, cherishing time spent laughing with family and friends, and always thinking of others’ well-being before her own.
On behalf of Sarah, the family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff who supported her at every stage of her journey. In particular, we would like to thank the Lung Transplant team at Toronto General for world-class care and the staff of the Mt. Sinai ICU for their compassion in her final days.
A celebration of Sarah’s life will be held outdoors at Guelph Lake (Island Pavilion) at 1pm on Monday, September 3rd.
Those who desire may make memorial donations to a scholarship fund being established in Sarah’s honour. Donations can be made via the web at https://www.gofundme.com/sarah-sutherland-memorial or by mail with cheques payable to Carolyn Gordon (Sarah’s mother) at 5 Periwinkle Way, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1L 1H8.
“The flame that burns twice as bright, burns half as long” – Lao Tzu