Florence Sutherland

Florence Katherine Sutherland (nee Barr) of Woodstock, Ontario, aged 100, passed away peacefully with her family present on Wednesday November 9, 2022. Predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Alex, son Brian, and daughter Connie. Survived by her children: Lynn, Barry (Tracy), and Sheila (Danny). Florence had seven grandchildren: Becky, Jenny, Breanne, Ali, Cate, Ariann, and Keegan. There are eight great grandchildren: Mikaela, Jackson, Brian, Wyatt, Cash, Harry, Iman and Lola.

Florence was born in Clayton, Ontario on a farm in January of 1922. Her parents lived on the farm all their lives and she had two brothers and a sister Allie, Wilmur, and Rachel (all predeceased). Florence was the youngest of the four children. She was born with rickets and doctors in 1922 offered the helpful advice to her mother that they break her legs and set them straight. After shooing the ‘’doctor’’ off the property, her mother opted for the traditional cure for rickets which is exposure to sunlight. As a result, little Florence lived a healthy life to age 100! And this meant that little Florence spent her early days outside in the summer with very few chores other than collecting eggs from the chicken coop. Her elder sister Rae supervised her (they played together) and Aunt Rae often told us that Florence’s only job was holding the cow’s tail while Aunt Rae did the milking and her performance at that task was mixed. Florence and Rae were very close, and Rae lived in Woodstock all her life as well and was a big part of Florence’s young family.

Florence went to school in one-room school house in Middleville, County Lanark. She and her sister Rae came to Woodstock for work after WW2, in 1946. She worked as a Dental Assistant at the Ontario Hospital in Woodstock. Florence met Alex at a dance in Woodstock in 1949. And their first-born baby, Brian, was born in 1952. Florence was a wonderful mother, cook, counselor, teacher, friend, partner and supporter. You would search long to find a kinder person, although she did not suffer fools lightly. Upon hearing gossip or the other trivial matters that pass for news with many people, her general response was, ‘’Amongst them be it.’’

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Jack London wrote that in 1916 six years before Florence was born. Our Mom certainly lived a full life and did not waste any of her days trying to prolong them. She used her time to laugh, dance and sing while raising a loving family. Thanks for supporting us and loving us unconditionally, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. We will always remember you.

At Florence’s request, no formal funeral service will be held. Memorial donations made to Sakura House are appreciated. Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Ave., Woodstock have been entrusted with Final Arrangements. Messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca