Caroline Louise (Mansfield) Sutherland passed peacefully in her sleep February 28, 2026. She was 97 years old. Her husband of 62 years, Gordon Sutherland, passed in 2012.
Caroline is survived by her sister, Gwen Moran and her family. Caroline’s extended family included her four children: Eric, Carol, Stephen and Linda. She had 14 great-grandchildren: Eric’s 10 - Derrick, Andrew, Philip, Jessie, Heather, Mark, Julie, Amy, Kathy and Emily. Carol’s 2 – Carrie and Greg. Linda’s 2 – R.C. and Christine. She had 47 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Count them, that’s 65 beings who carry a part of her soul.
One of Caroline’s greatest gifts was her smile. She always had a ready smile and hug for one and all. She once said that the reason she looked so young (and she did) was that her high-cheek bones kept her skin taught so no wrinkles would form and that she smiled all the time!
Caroline always had a creative side. She liked to sew, knit, needlepoint, crochet and cook. For many years she made dinner for Walter, the elderly gentleman who lived next door. However, her recent favorite activity was coloring. She had an abundance of colored pencils and coloring books. If you admired one of her creations, you were just as likely to go home with it!
Although Caroline loved coloring, she loved being a mom and a Grammy the most. Anytime family would visit she would light up like a Christmas tree. Recently, Grammy’s great-granddaughter, Lou visited and she was the beneficiary of that light full of love and all it entailed.
Caroline spent her final years in the Willowbrook Court community at Cokebury Village. I believe that she took the name seriously as she did hold “court” from the doorway of her room wearing her crown pin, with a smile, hug, and a wave or all three.
Caroline Sutherland loved well and was well loved by many. She, and her smile, will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held on March 24th, at 2PM, at Cokesbury Village (726 Loveville Rd, Hockessin, DE). The service will be held in the Atrium Meeting Room on Level A; friends and family may begin calling at 130 PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or to plant a tree in Caroline’s honor.
