Verna M. Baillie

RIVER JOHN – Verna Mae Baillie (Sutherland), age 92, of River John, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017 at Willow Lodge in Tatamagouche.

Born to Hazel (Morgan) and Charles Sutherland of Poplar Hill, on Jan. 10, 1925, Verna’s family, many friends and her community will miss her deeply.

Verna embodied the characteristics of the greatest generation — levelheaded, smart, practical and hard-working with an abiding commitment to her community. Qualities she instilled in her three sons, Larry, Daniel and Reg, of whom she could not have been more proud.

Beyond these qualities, Verna will be remembered for her kindness, her grace and what can only be described as a maternal warmth, which she extended freely as her family grew, to her daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, their husbands and wives. Verna’s sense of adventure took her to the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia where she fished for wild salmon with her brother and sister, and to Scotland where she explored castles with her beloved Clan Sutherland.

Verna leaves behind sons, Larry (Bonnie), Reg (Mim) and daughterin-law, Rose. Grandchildren: Dana, Doreen, Stacey, Mark and Kirby. Great-grandchildren: Molly, Lucy, Daisy, Jaimie, Caitlin, Poppy, Dax, Palmer, Jasper and Noah. She was pre-deceased by her son, Daniel; husband, Alfred; brothers Bill, Alec and Hugh; sisters Catherine (Cassie) and Dorothy.

Special thanks to the caregivers of Willow Lodge whose professionalism and compassion brought great comfort to Verna and her family. We will carry Gramma in our hearts forever, but especially when we pick berries or mayflowers, put on rubber boots for a walk in the field, swim at the Cape, gather for a cup of tea, sit down for a game of cards, or wrap ourselves in her homemade quilts.

Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday in St. Georges Presbyterian Church, River John, from where the funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday with Rev. Gail Johnson-Murdock officiating.

Burial will be in Hamilton Cemetery, River John.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Georges Presbyterian Church, the S.P.C.A or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou.