Myrna Potter Sutherland, age 76, passed away February 23, 2017, in Bellingham, Washington, following a long battle with cancer, surrounded by her daughters and son. She is survived by her beloved children Kim, Annie (Jason), Michael (Janell), and Robin, and six grandchildren. Myrna was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Van. She loved spending her final year in Bellingham walking under the lush mossy trees of Lake Padden, and painting watercolors at the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center.
Myrna was born in Salt Lake City, to Alma and Lydia Potter. She and her siblings Byron, Norman, Lamar, Verl and Linda were adventurous - taking the trolley to the Great Salt Lake, raising ducks, jumping out of trees. After graduating from West High School in 1959, Myrna met the love of her life, Van Sutherland, while dancing at the Terrace. \"She had that blue dress and those tan legs\" and Van was smitten. They married in 1963, remaining together for 49 years until his death.
Myrna fully celebrated life while meeting significant challenges. She travelled to Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China, relished sunsets on Hawaiian beaches, ate pastries and gelato while touring France and Italy, swam with sharks, snorkeled with manta rays. She was very creative - sculpting, painting, and carving pumpkins. She was always on the move - volunteering, cooking multicourse meals for birthdays, walking with friends, tending her roses, and teaching aerobics to her neighbors. For years, she provided the compassionate work of caring for people at the end of their lives. But family was always her center and she adored spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Myrna\s LDS faith provided her great comfort. A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Mountain View 3rd Ward, 1889 South 1700 East, followed by funeral services at 11:00.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Whatcom Hospice House for the attentive caring during Myrna\s final days.
