Flora “Sue” Sutherland

On February 12, 2025, Sue Sutherland, our cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and figure skating coach, passed away peacefully in her favorite place—her home—surrounded by the family she loved. Sue was born on May 23, 1954, in Flin Flon, MB. Her life was a testament to hard work, resilience, and dedication to both her loved ones and the figure skating community. 

Sue loved the North. During her 52 years in Thompson, she touched the lives of more than 10,000 athletes and fellow coaches. Her deep passion for the sport, combined with her ability to connect with each skater, left a lasting impact on everyone she taught. Sue's legacy lives on through the skaters who carry forward the lessons she shared both on and off the ice.

Sue met her husband, Alex “Suds” Sutherland, at the skating rink in Thompson. Suds a hockey player, and Sue a figure skater – something she described in her final days as “straight out of a movie”. They navigated life’s highs and lows, side by side, for more than 50 years.

Sue was a remarkably talented artist whose creativity was not bound by the rink boards. From pottery, and painting to fiber arts, she expressed herself beautifully through various mediums. Her artistry extended to the lives of her girls, as she crafted thoughtful birthday cakes and designed and sewed beautiful pieces for their most important moments. A true creator at heart, Sue brought beauty into the world through her art, just as she did with her love and dedication to those around her.

Sue is missed tremendously by her husband, Suds, their daughters: Ashley (Justin Gagnon) and Shanleigh (Troy Anderlik), and their precious granddaughter, Roreigh. She is lovingly remembered by her sister Louise Rideout, sisters and brothers-in-law Lorna Heuchert, Fanny and Donny Mullin, and Alvin and Joyce Sutherland, as well as her nieces, nephews and many wonderful lifelong friends.

In honour of her lifelong commitment to young skaters, a memorial trust has been established by her family to provide an annual scholarship toThompson skaters.

If you wish to contribute, donations can be made directly through Charitable Impact. Tax receipts are issued automatically:

https://link.charitableimpact.com/6ieZoxXwDWb

If you have any questions or prefer to connect directly, you can still reach the committee at:

suesutherlandmemorialaward@gmail.com

When asked how best to spend one's life, Sue’s last words of advice were simple yet profound: 

“Make it good.”

Sue will be deeply missed by so many, but her spirit and the love she shared with all who knew her will remain in our hearts forever.

Her spirit, her kindness, and the love she shared will remain forever woven into the fabric of Skate Thompson.