Obituary of Peggy J. Sutherland

Peggy J. Sutherland, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, librarian, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 5, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on September 27, 1945, Peggy lived a life enriched by love, laughter, and cherished memories.

 

Peggy grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she met the love of her life, Frank J. Sutherland. The two were married there on May 1, 1965, beginning a nearly 60-year journey of love and devotion. She was the proud and devoted mother of David (Susan), Helen, Lee (Ed W.), and Barbara, and the doting grandmother to Joshua, Jacey, Alex, and Kylie. Peggy found her greatest joy in her family, always ensuring their lives were filled with warmth and love.

 

Peggy dedicated decades of her life to librarianship, a career that reflected her love of learning and community service. In her later career, she served as a reference librarian at the Stillwater Public Library, housed in its stunning Carnegie library. Her efforts enriched the lives of countless visitors, fostering connections to knowledge and sparking a love for learning.  She was always surrounded at home by stacks of library books, constantly amazing her family with her voracious reading abilities.

 

For decades, Peggy cherished her Wednesday gatherings with her close-knit friend group known as S & B. Peggy and Frank started the group 40 plus years ago as weekly Friday night golf outings and they migrated over time to Wednesday nights and incorporated dinner and crafting and most importantly - great friends.  They still meet to this day every Wednesday creating lasting memories and strengthening friendships which brought so muchjoy to her life.

 

Peggy had a remarkable sense of humor that brightened every room she entered, leaving those around her smiling and laughing.  Her warmth and wit were as unforgettable as her cooking, which brought family and friends together over meals crafted with love. She was often at her happiest in the kitchen, preparing a large meal for many loved ones, humming songs as she worked. She was also an enthusiastic bargain hunter who delighted in finding treasures in stores, always turning shopping into an adventure. Her passion for gardening was evident in her beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests, especially her cherished yellow roses and wildflowers, which reflected her connection to nature and life itself.

 

Peggy filled her home with love and warmth, always making room for extra people. Her kindness extended to countless foster children, foreign exchange students—especially from Uruguay—as well as family and friends. Her home became a haven where laughter, stories, and connections flourished. She was the consumate hostess.  A devoted member of her church, Peggy expressed her faith not only through her kind heart but also by singing in the church choir, where her voice uplifted and inspired those around her.

 

Peggy had a gift for turning family camping trips into wonderful adventures, complete with incredible meals prepared over a campfire or camp stove. Her culinary creativity knew no bounds—she once even baked a pineapple upside-down cake over a campfire, to the delight of her family. These cherished moments became the foundation of treasured family traditions and memories.

 

Growing up, Peggy loved to dance with her sister, and one of her joyful memories was winning a twist contest—showcasing her vibrant spirit and sense of fun. She also sang to and with her children every day and night, filling their lives with music, comfort, and an enduring bond that enriched their childhood and beyond.

 

Through all the health challenges she faced during her life, Peggy remained the strongest and toughest woman her family and friends have ever known. Her resilience and unwavering spirit were a source of inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

 

Peggy was a dedicated volunteer, cooking thousands of meals for Loaves & Fishes in St. Paul, MN. Her legendary meatloaf recipe continues to nourish the community and stands as a lasting testament to her culinary skills and caring spirit.

 

Peggy's legacy of love, laughter, resilience, generosity, creativity, learning, music, and friendship will forever remain in the hearts of her family, friends, and all whose lives she graced. She will be deeply missed by so many whose lives she touched with her kindness, warmth, and joy.

 

A funeral service & celebration of her amazing life will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 11am, visitation immediately before at 10am and of course followed by lunch immediately after at St Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN  55115.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peggy's honor to:
Loaves and Fishes -- https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/ways-to-give/ or

The Stillwater Public Library Foundation -- https://www.stillwaterlibraryfoundation.org/ways-to-give#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20ways%20you,All%20gifts%20make%20a%20difference

 

If desired, flowers can be delivered to St Andrew's Lutheran Church sanctuary - door 1.

 

The celebration of life will be livestreamed.  The livestream will begin 15 minutes before the service at 10:45am Central time.  Here is the link--  https://control.resi.io/webplayer/video.html?id=ea98a04e-f2ba-46f5-a03c-8fa1b2c7e003