SUTHERLAND, Heather Isabella (nee Mackay)
Surrounded by her loving family, our beloved Heather passed away peacefully at Rosedale Hospice at the age of 72 years. Born to James and Christina Mackay, “Dea”, as she was affectionately called by family, was raised in Cochrane. She married Garry in 1967, spending 52 wonderful years together.
Heather had a wonderful, full life. Heather loved her work in the Airlines and developed a deep appreciation for travel and together with Garry they visited 53 countries. Being very social, she made many lifelong friends along the way. Heather was adventurous; one of the things she was most proud of was walking the Great Wall of China. She had a bucket list and checked everything off it!
Heather cared deeply for everyone in her life and time spent with her family and friends was most important to her. There was always an open door and all were welcome; there were many guests for family dinners! Along with her passion for cooking, she was skilled at needlepoint, quilting and gardening . Heather was an avid volunteer, supporting many causes over the years. Two especially dear to her heart were with the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the Calgary Firefighter’s Toy Association, which she was part of for 50 years.
Heather will be deeply missed by her husband Garry; her daughters Dana (Michael Bishop) Sutherland and Meghan (Mark) Tayfel; her grandchildren Sidney, Isabella and Colin; her siblings Allan (Marlaine), Rhona (John) and Robyn (Bruce); her brother-in-law Wayne (Diane) Sutherland; numerous extended family and many wonderful friends.
Through Heather’s journey in illness, there were many people who offered amazing support. Her family especially want to thank the Cochrane Palliative Care Team and the staff at Rosedale Hospice.
A private family interment will take place at the Cochrane Cemetery. A Celebration of Heather’s Life will take place in the weeks ahead. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosedale Hospice www.hospicecalgary.ca/rosedale.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039.

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RIP thanks for helping me through high school
Garry, Allan, Rhona, Robyn and all family members our sincere condolences on Heathers passing. Our thoughts are with you.
we are so sorry for your loss
Gary and family.
Offering our deepest condolences on Heather’s passing. We hope that your memories will comfort you during this difficult time.
Garry, know our sincere thoughts are with you. Take comfort in your family and friends.
Although I haven’t been it touch with Heath for many year I was in school with here for grades 1-12. I remember that her birthday was one day after mine. I have many memories from long ago. My heartfelt sympathies grout to all her family and friends.
Sincere condolences Gordon Lemke
Our deepest condolences to Garry and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless, Steve Wallace & Dawn Wallace
To the Sutherland Family:
Our deepest sympathy to your Family on the loss of Heather. I remember Heather so well from working with the community kindergarten and guiding organizations back in the 70’s, she was always so willing to lend a hand, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone. Rest well Heather, Sincerely The Feasel Family.
Our deepest sympathy to all the Family . Heather was a very neat lady!!,
RIP heather!!
Our deepest sympathy to all the Family . Heather was a very neat lady!!,
RIP heather!!
The Sutherland Family,
It was a total pleasure to work with Heather at Canadian Airlines lots of good times and laughs at work. So glad to have worked with her over the years and be inspired by her sense of Adventure and discovering new places. Thinking of you at this sad time. Janice
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Sutherland family. Heather was a wonderful lady and will be deeply missed by all that knew her. Rest in Peace Heather.
Our hearts are saddened with the news of Heather’s passing, love Len and Donna
Our deepest sympathies to Gary and family. Heather will be sadly missed by all.
Bill Lockwood and Ardeth Bent
To the Sutherland Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. Lovely memories of that small condo in Hawaii and of the many visits in your home across from Alex Munro. Thinking of you all.
Bob
Our sincere condolences to Garry and the Sutherland and MacKay Families. We had many a good time together on and off the job. Heather did many wonderful things big and small for many causes, and personally, like having us bumped up to First Class on vacation flights and going for some MacKays Ice Cream.Cherish those memories Garry…Gary & Dana and the CFD Pensioners.
Garry and family we would like to give our sincere condolences. She will truly be missed by many.
Alanna,RJ,Faye Husch
My heart goes out to you and your family, Garry. My deepest sympathies. Palma Heming
Garry
We are saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Arie and Arlene Segstro
Garry, our hearts go out to you and the family. Heather will be missed by so many as she was a great friend and wonderful to work with. Heather and I spent many hours working on the Toy Association for the 9 years I was the Chairman. She worked tirelessly on the committee without complaint. Pat and I offer our condolences to you, Dana, Meghan and their families.
Dear Garry and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Heather’s passing. I remember her from the many Fire Department events and Christmas parties when we were at Training. She was such a fun and friendly lady.
I’m glad she got to check off everything in her bucket list.
My sincere condolences to you all and my thoughts are with you.
Cheryl MacKenzie
rusell52@hotmail.com
Garry and family we were very sadden to her of Heathers passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with at this time.
Stephen and Jill
Our sincerest condolences. Our hearts are broken. We will always cherish the memories we shared through our work with the Fire Department and Ward Air. Heather gave her all to all the charities that she worked and to her family. We shared so many memories with Heather as new families growing in new neighbourhoods. Will miss the smile and sense of fun.
Our hearts are with you and your family
My condolences to you and your family Garry
So sorry for your loss Garry.
Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Heather was always a happy person, engaging and friendly. At the Children’s Christmas party, she was always so feastive with a warm smile and kind words that made the day that much more fun. Our hearts are with you.
Sorry to hear about Heather’s passing. She was a wonderful Mother and wife. Our thoughts are with you Garry & the rest of the family.
So sorry for your loss Garry. I remember a lovely lady with the most beautiful smile. My condolences to you and your family.
Garry, we wish you and your family much strength at this most difficult time. May your heavy hearts be lightened in knowing that Heather had a wonderful journey through life, accomplished everything she set out to do and gave so much of herself to all she knew, especially to those she loved.
I remember Heather always had this big beaming smile that was always welcoming and joyful.She will be surely missed
Garry, we are so saddened and so sorry to hear of Heathers passing,our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Carla Don Mark Curtis
Garry…I am so saddened to hear of Heathers passing and my deepest sympathies go out to you. I personally will miss the hugs I always received every time we ran into each other and Heather’s ongoing smile. Stay strong with your memories my friend. Blaine
So sorry to hear of Heathers passing. May your may happy memories bring some happiness to you and your loved ones at this difficult time.
Garry & family WE are so saddened to hear of Heathers passing we send our deepest sympathies
Gary and family. So sorry to hear of Heathers passing. I know she will be greatly missed. We send our deepest sympathies.
So sorry to hear of Heather’s passing. She did have a very full life. Good for her and her bucket list. It doesn’t make the missing of her any easier but the memories Wow. All the best to Gary and family
Garry & family,
Our hearts go out to you at this sad time. Heather will be fondly remembered by many who knew her. Her positive attitude and friendliness could always be counted on. I enjoyed our many conversations about gardening, and our garden visits. Our deepest condolences.
We are thinking about you all at this difficult time. Heather was such a special person and we will miss her warm hugs, sense of humour, kindness and creative recipes in the kitchen. Lots of love. Xo
Please accept our sincere condolences, Garry and all the family. You are in our thoughts.
Heather was a one-of-a-kind lady. She will be missed for sure. So sorry for this big loss. Garry, Dana and Meghan our thoughts and heart are with you. Janet and Werner
Garry, Dana, & Meghan, sorry to hear of your loss of wife and Mother. Our condolences to all in the family. Such an untimely loss is always so sad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. Love to all.
Dear Garry, Dana, Meghan,
My sincere condolences for the loss of a very special lady, mother and friend.
Cherish your memories.
Our Sincere condolences go out to Garry and Family.Our Harts & thoughts are with you.
Our deepest condolences to the Sutherland’s Family.
Meghan your Mom will alway be in your heat and she will be always watching over you and your Family.
Our heart and thoughts are with you, Mark, children and the rest of the family.
Thinking of you in this sad moment.
Ian, Erendira and the boys.
Sending our deepest condolences to the Sutherland families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We were so sad to here of Heather’s passing. We only knew her for a short time but in her knid way she touched our lives forever. Take care of yourselves.
To Gary, Family and friends of Heather,
I send my deepest condolences to you all. Through my short time of knowing Heather, she was always the kindest and sweetest woman. It put a smile on my face just seeing her. I know she will be missed by so many, but I’m so glad you all have such beautiful memories with her. RIP xo
Rest in peace Heather
To the Sutherland family. I am so sorry for your loss. I went to school with Heather from grade one to about grade ten. I lost touch over the years but I will always remember the time we shared in Explorers and CGIT at the United Church.
Heather was a young school girl when I first met her. She was friendly and always had a happy smile.My last memory of her was at a Chaps dinner. She grabbed me from behind in a surprise hug
Although we saw little of each other over the years; I am happy to have known her.
Are thoughts are with the families of Heather may your memories help you in the coming years. Dave Buckler family
To Heather’s family,
I was so sorry to read of Heather’s passing. Though I have not seen her for many years (we worked together for CBE – before she “took flight” on her airline career), I recall her as a vivacious energetic person. Heather always made others feel “important” when she spoke with them. Her great smile was certainly memorable.
How fortunate that Heather was able to check everything off her bucket list – including visiting 53 countries! WOW! Indeed, Heather shared with her family a full and determined life. May you have memories of many joyful times shared with Heather to help give you some comfort at this sorrowful time. Sincerely, Lee Hunt
Garry and Family:
Our hearts and thoughts are with you.
So sorry for your loss. Lots of good memories.
I am so sorry to read about your loss of Heather. Heather was a beautiful person. My thoughts are with you. Sincerely Gayle Dionne
Garry, my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May your sorrow be eased with grace. Know that we are all here if you need anything at all – even just a little chat. Big hugs
We had the pleasure of meeting Heather at the last 2 infamous Sutherland holloween parties, always smiling and enjoying everyone’s company. She had a magnetic energy that people were drawn to. Over the last couple of years we’ve befriended her daughters, whom we adore very much. Heather will be missed greatly not just by her family, but all of those whom she met along her life’s journey.
We were so sorry to hear of Heather’s passing. She was such a bright and happy person, even through her illness. Her kindness and sense of humor will be greatly missed here at Portofino
Our thoughts are with you
Thinking of you at this hard time.
We were saddened to hear of Heathers passing.
I will always remember all the wonderful times Heather and I enjoyed together.
Our deepest condolences.
We were very saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. Our sincere condolences to Gary and family
We are so very saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. Please know that we are thinking of you Gary, and your family at this very sad time. Our deepest condolences.
Garry, Dana, Meghan and family. I share your sorrow in the loss of a wife, mother and grandmother and a good friend. My sincere condolences.
Dear Garry, Meghan and Dana,
We are so deeply saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. She shared the same birthday as Steve…only 72 years old yet 52 years as your beloved wife, Garry…how wonderful! Please know that our thoughts are with you and yours during this very sad time..
My sincerest condolences to your family Garry. I never had the opportunity to meet your wife but from what I read she
was an amazing person. May you cherish the memories.
My sincerest condolences to your family Garry.
We are so sorry to hear of Heather’s passing some time ago. Garry, our condolences to you and your family. We hope this message finds it’s way to you!