Elizabeth "Betty" J. (Smith) Sutherland

BATH – Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Smith) Sutherland of Bath , 87, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

She was born in New Oxford, Pennsylvania on April 14th, 1932, the youngest child of Joseph and Josephine (McDermott) Smith.

                She graduated from Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania in 1950 as Class Valedictorian, an accomplishment she would repeat at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing In Lancaster, Pennsylvania three years later. Betty’s strong intellect and competitive spirit combined to make her an excellent student, mentor, and teacher throughout her life.

                On September 5th, 1953 she married James P. Sutherland from Bath, Maine after the two met at a Franklin & Marshall College dance. They were married for 52 years, residing initially in New York and then Massachusetts before moving to Maine where they lived in North Bath for over 40 years.

Although she put her nursing career on hold shortly after it began with the birth of her first child in 1956, when her children were old enough Betty returned as a Registered Nurse at Bath Memorial Hospital where she worked for many years and touched thousands of lives.

A life-long learner who believed strongly in self-sufficiency, Betty was an accomplished gardener and quilter who created a legacy of practical and artistic gifts and heirlooms for her extended family. She enjoyed reading, puzzles and games, bocce, and time with her children and grandchildren. Betty was a  source of strength for all her knew her. She faced every challenge with grace, patience, and resolve. A devoted wife and mother, Betty was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bath.    

                She is survived by four of her six children: Susan Elliot and her husband Steve of Lake Montezuma, Arizona; David Sutherland and his wife Beth of New Gloucester, Maine; Diane St. Jean and her husband Dan of Chardon, Ohio; and William Sutherland and his wife Lisa of Durham, Maine as well as 11 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

                She was pre-deceased by her husband, James; two children, John and Brian; one grandson, Zachary; two brothers, Regis and Tom; and one sister, Rosemary.

                A graveside service will be held at 1 P.M. on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath. Entrance to the cemetery is between the ponds on Oak Grove Ave.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Coastal Cancer Treatment Center, 175 Congress Avenue, Bath, Maine, or to the Salvation Army Community Center, 25 Congress Avenue also in Bath.

                Arrangements were made by Daigle Funeral Home on High Street in Bath. Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com

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