Obituary: Jean E. Sutherland, 82, of Branford
Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:
Jean E. Sutherland, a 40-year retired veteran of the New Haven school system, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at her home in Branford. She was 82.
Jean was born in New Haven, Sept. 22, 1938, daughter of the late Addington and Lillian Welch Sutherland.
Ms. Sutherland was a well-respected New Haven elementary teacher whose service positively impacted her students’ lives. Throughout her career and after retiring, she continually heard from former students with testaments of her encouragement and influence. Many pupils remember her famous notes of encouragement from “Proud Puppy” and the occasional chiding from “Naughty Kitty.” Ms. Sutherland was the city’s Teacher of the Year several times. She also co-produced a school wide production at Beecher Elementary School entitled “Growing Up Black, Growing Up!” that illuminated the voices of students who needed to be heard.
Jean was a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. She was a leader of teachers and a member of the Yale-New Haven Institute, an organization of city teachers and Yale professors working to coordinate education at all teaching levels. She also was a prominent leader in the Baldwin-King Project, led by Dr. James Comer of the Yale Child-Study Center. Later in her career, she also became an effective adult educator.
Jean loved all sports. Her favorite teams were the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers, the Giants, the Jets and especially the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. She fervently watched and discussed thoroughly every UCONN televised game with her basketball friends.
She also was competitive and a self-proclaimed Scrabble champion. For years she played daily. She also loved recreational gambling and enjoyed trips to Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun and especially to Las Vegas.
Jean was well traveled. She enjoyed trips with family to Alaska, Europe, Nova Scotia, the Caribbean and a most memorable trip to Hawaii.
Jean will always be remembered as a kind and compassionate person who dedicated her life to helping others. As an exceptional educator she uplifted countless students with her creativity, fun loving spirit and recognition that all students were deserving of a teacher who believed in them. Throughout her life, she countered injustices against people and animals.
She is survived by her sisters, Susan Small of East Haven and Catherine (Richard) Edinger of Vashon, Wash.; her friend of 50 years, Eloise Middleton; and her nephews, Peter (Cassandra) Airone and William (Celess) Edinger. She was predeceased by nephews Thomas and Michael Airone.
Private funeral services are under the direction of Clancy Funeral Home in Branford.A post-COVID remembrance will be held at a later date.
This article originally appeared on the Branford Patch
