At the Prince Edward Home on Sunday, April 18, 2021 of Marilyn Ann Sutherland, age 78 years. Family and friends share consolations in Marilyn’s peaceful passing from this life. Marilyn was the daughter of the late Mary and Donald Sutherland, formerly of Priest Pond, Borden-Carleton and Charlottetown. She was predeceased by siblings Ernest and Eileen Sutherland and will be deeply mourned by sisters Christina McMurrer (Edward, deceased), Joan E. Allen (Fred, deceased), Maria Gibson (Gib) and brother Lorne Sutherland (Kathy). Always present to support and celebrate milestones, Marilyn was a cherished aunt and great aunt. Marilyn was a graduate of Notre Dame Convent, St. Dunstan’s University and the University of Prince Edward Island. She enjoyed a full career as a teacher, retiring in 1997. She was a strong advocate of all sports for youth with a passion for lawn bowling and curling. A recipient of the Queens Silver Jubilee Medal, Marilyn was a committed volunteer to both provincial and national committees and boards of these sports. In 2007 Marilyn was awarded the Sport PEI Presidents Award for over 35 years of dedicated service to curling as a coach, course instructor and official. She was inducted in the PEI Curling Hall of Fame in 2013. Most importantly to her she modelled love for the game! Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home where a private family (invitation only) visitation and Liturgy of The Word will be held. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of PEI or KidSport PEI. Online condolences may be shared on Marilyn’s memorial page at

https://belvederefh.com/memorial/marilyn-ann-sutherland-0

The Liturgy of the Word will be live-streamed at the same page on April 22nd, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

Here is Marilyn’s 2013 PEI Curling Hall of Fame induction ceremony citation:

Marilyn Sutherland, builder category

Photo: Marilyn Sutherland

For more than thirty years, Marilyn Sutherland has been involved and dedicated to the sport of curling – as a player, coach, coordinator, trainer and administrator.

Beginning by taking the first-offered Level 1 Technical Coaching Course in 1975, Marilyn advanced to become a Master Course Conductor. She has been conducting Level 1 and 2 Curling Technical Courses since 1980.

In 1984/85, Marilyn chaired the Junior Development Committee and was instrumental in holding the first Elite Training Camp and Junior Booster Day for young curlers.

1986/87 was the first time that the PEI Ladies Curling Association provided officials at the provincial women’s curling championship final games. Marilyn was an integral part of this endeavour.

Marilyn has always been ready to volunteer her time and energy as an official and a coach.  As an official, Marilyn participated at Canadian Juniors events in 1978, 1980, 2000, and 2002.  She officiated at the Scott Tournament of Hearts held in Charlottetown in 1984, at the Canadian Mixed Championships in Summerside in 1987, and also in 1996 at the Canadian Mixed when it was held in Charlottetown, as well as the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island in 1991.

As a coach, Marilyn coached the PEI Women’s Teams at the Canada Winter Games in 1983 and 1991, and the PEI Men’s Team at the Canada Winter Games in 1999.   She also coached the PEI Junior Women’s Team at the 1991 Canadian Juniors and the PEI Junior Men’s Champions in 2003, as well as many other teams along the way.

Marilyn organized and coordinated a junior curling program at Queen Charlotte Junior High for four years and for many years at Stonepark Junior High and Colonel Grey High School. At various times, she coordinated the junior program at the Charlottetown Curling Club, the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club and the Cornwall Curling Club. She also coordinated or assisted at countless curling schools held at Island curling clubs and willingly and freely gave advice to countless numbers of junior and adult curlers, teams and individuals who sought her expertise and assistance.

It may be noted that she made a difference in the lives of many juniors during this time and that many of the PEI curlers who have achieved some level of success at the provincial and national levels have benefited from Marilyn’s dedication to curling.

Marilyn also was a keen competitor. In 1983, Marilyn played lead on the winning PEI provincial mixed team skipped by Doug Weeks, with Heather Mabey at third and second Billy Dillon, and in 1978 was a member of the PEI Women’s Championship team, playing third for Gloria Basha, with second Wilma McLure and lead Marion Basha.

In an administrative capacity, Marilyn served with the Ladies Branch of the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1976/77 and 1977/78, as chair of Junior Ladies. In 1985/86, she served as vice-president, and president in 1986/87. Marilyn has been attending PEI Ladies Curling Association and PEI Curling Association (post-amalgamation) meetings regularly since 1983. She also is a founding member of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum serving from its inception in 2007 to 2012.

Marilyn has received a number of awards recognizing her volunteer work in sport.  In 2002, Marilyn received the ADL/Sport PEI Volunteer Recognition Certificate, honouring her for her many roles in working with the sports of curling and lawn bowling.

Each year during the Provincial Women’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts the PEI Curling Association recognizes a female curler (or curlers) who have shown great dedication to the sport either on a local, provincial, and/or a national level.  The award’s name honours curling pioneer, Marion Dockendorff.  Marilyn Sutherland was the recipient of this prestigious award in 2004.

She received an honourary life membership from the PEI Curling Association in 2006.  Honourary life members must have given long and outstanding service to the PEI Curling Association and their curling clubs to be elected to life membership.

Marilyn Sutherland was honoured at the Sport PEI Awards Banquet in April, 2007 when she was presented with the President’s Award for outstanding dedication to sport. Marilyn was recognized for her contribution which spanned more than three decades in administration, coaching and officiating, in both lawn bowling and curling.

In May 2010, a special recognition award was given to Marilyn Sutherland at the PEI Curling Association’s annual ADL/Sport PEI Curling Awards.

Marilyn is being recognized by the Hall of Fame and Museum for her longstanding dedication to young people, for teaching the skills and strategy of the game, for coaching, officiating, instructing and coordinating programs and curling clinics and for her generous gift of time as a volunteer.