Katherine Banfill Sutherland's Obituary
Katherine Sutherland of Tacoma passed away peacefully at her home on July 5, 2010 at age 92. She was born January 27, 1918 in Nooksack, Washington, the youngest child of Winifred Jennie Pike and James Harley Banfill, and sister to Arthur Charles Banfill and Margaret Banfill Moffett who predeceased her. She was also predeceased in September 1983 by her husband George Perrine Sutherland, to whom she had been married for 42 years. Katherine's pride and joy were her five children and later her seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. For many years she was an active member of Tacoma's First Baptist Church. She was an animal lover, and shared her life with cats and dogs over the years. One of her favorite hobbies in later years was photography, particularly scenery of Mt Rainier. Katherine never liked her middle name of Persis. However, a study of family history indicated she had 5 generations of maternal ancestors with the name used as a first or middle name. She was particularly interested in her Pike ancestors, and in 1997 joined a local DAR chapter based on the Revolutionary War history of Joseph Pike of Massachusetts and New York. Her paternal ancestry included Revolutionary War soldier George Banfill of Vermont. She is survived by children Margaret Scheffler of Baldwinsville, NY, James Sutherland (wife Linda) of Santa Ana, California, Janice Leventon of Chehalis, Donald Sutherland (wife Mary) of Marysville, and Robert Sutherland of Tacoma. Grandchildren are Katherine and James Scheffler, Amanda, Elizabeth and Stephanie Sutherland, and Janna and Richard Leventon. Great grandchildren are Zoe, Becca and Holly Scheffler. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family will hold a private graveside service followed by a memorial service for family and friends later in the summer. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
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