Mary Lorraine Sutcliffe passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on December 17th, 2019 in Vancouver, after almost 20 years managing the effects of Alzheimer’s. Lorraine was surrounded by family, friends and the wonderful care givers at Point Grey Private Hospital in Vancouver in the weeks before her death. Her last whispered words were “Love, Love, Love”.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Ernest Douglas Sutcliffe (d 1982), and her second husband of 30 years, Edward Joseph Shanahan (d 2015).
She is survived by her four children: Barbara (Russ) Quinn, Ian (Kathleen) Sutcliffe, Margot Sutcliffe and Kate (Paul) Wolfe, her sister Joan Hickey, her 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and numerous relatives.
Lorraine was born on May 25th, 1924 in Kingston Ontario, the second of 3 daughters born to Kathleen (Kay) MacClaren and Dr. Rupert (Rube) Milan. Her siblings are Carmel (Alan) Hall (died Nov 5, 2017) and Joan (Michael) Hickey.
She attended school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Montreal, where she developed several lifelong friendships. Lorraine loved spending summers with her parents at the Point Pleasant Cottages near Kingston. She married E. Douglas Sutcliffe in Kingston on February 8, 1945 during her third year at Queens University. She and Doug moved to Ann Harbor Michigan and then Toronto with Doug as he completed his post graduate engineering and business degrees. She and Doug then moved across the country to make their new life and home in Vancouver, BC. Doug passed away in February 1982 and Lorraine married Ed Shanahan in July 1985. Ed Passed away in July 2015.
Lorraine was a lifelong Catholic and parishioner at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Vancouver. She was also supported the Sisters of the Cenacle, a home and retreat for Roman Catholic Nuns in Vancouver.
Lorraine was active in various fitness pursuits including exercise classes, tennis at the Arbutus Club and skiing at Whistler. Lorraine a wonderful cook and loved to celebrate special occasions and entertain her family and many friends at her marital home on 37th Ave. Lorraine loved boating and spent many weeks each summer sailing and cruising the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, Puget Sound with Doug and her children.
The Sutcliffe Family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the wonderful staff at Point Grey Private Hospital in Kitsilano for the loving kindness and care they provided in her final years.
There will be a Celebration of Life for family and friends in Lorraine's honour on Saturday, May16th in Vancouver.
Should you wish to make a donation in Lorraine's memory please consider the Alzheimer’s Association of BC. 300-828 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1E2