Pat Sutherland passed away in peace at the Veteran’s Home in South Paris on the morning of Sunday, June 27, 2021. Pat had suffered a fractured pelvis at home and died from complications in her recovery.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Don, of Bridgton; son Mark, daughter- in-law Kim, grandson Erik and granddaughter Allie of Lakeville, Mass.; son David, daughter-in-law Trisha, and granddaughter Nona of Salt Lake City, Utah; daughter Mary and partner John Masuck of Springfield, Mass.; sister Maureen Creney of Martha’s Vineyard and family; brother Edward and family of Newton, Mass.; and brother Michael of Sandwich, Mass., and family.

We would also like to remember her love for countless dear friends and neighbors, but especially the women of the Harrison Krafty Kritters; the men and women of the Harrison VFW and Ladies Auxiliary; and of her bocce league; Gerry and Natalie Dolan; Paula and Doug Holt; Marketa Tikander; Janice Bachelder; Leslie Dame; Mary Lindsey; Sue Rock; Kirsten Wears; Charlie and Kathy Dietrich; Sejong and Ji Park; the Pfeil family, and the amazing people of Food City in Bridgton. Memories of all the good times with you sustain us now.

Pat was the oldest child of Patrick and Anne Kelly, both immigrants from County Donegal, Ireland. Pat was born and raised in laughter and love in Jamaica Plain, Mass. She spent her summers at Nantasket Beach in a home her dad built by hand. She worked in bookkeeping at the Boston Edison company after graduating high school but was let go, as was the custom of the time, upon marriage. She continued to speak of it even late in her life — not because that specific job had been particularly important to her, but because she disliked all social biases and any underestimation of the value of women.

Pat married the love of her life; loved him all of her life; raised three children; helped provide for the family; and was proud of her 62-year marriage. She was devoted to her three children and grandchildren and they to her. Pat was a skilled seamstress; an intrepid traveler; a lifelong Red Sox fan; a faithful, avid reader of The Boston Globe; and an informed, proud, and vocal Democrat. She baked wonderful pies and the like. She was strong and resilient; funny; tenderhearted; loving; and beautiful. Many of you reading this own a pair of socks she knitted just for you. She loved living in Bridgton, and the view of “her mountain” coming down Route 302 toward home. She loved her family and so many of you. She loved her independence and she loved the gift of her life.

She was the light of our lives. We will never stop missing her. We must each endeavor to smile as brightly as she did, and to laugh as often, too. We must — and we will — continue to love each other as fiercely and as tenderly as she has always loved us.

When our family is ready, we will gather you together to help us celebrate her life. We are not ready now to do much except cry and hold onto each other. Rest in peace and joy, dearest Pat, beloved Mum. Fly free and we will see you again, with eternal joy, on the other side of this life.