Elizabeth Ann Sutherland

Elizabeth Ann Sutherland, née Hackney, was born on August 4th, 1933, the extraordinary unexpected twin of Thomas C. Hackney and beloved only daughter to the Reverend Thomas and Elizabeth Hackney. She arrived among the flowers in the summer— extraordinary, unexpected, beloved— and so she lived, and so she departed. On July 26, 2026, at the Pavilions with friends and family at her bedside, she went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ann’s parents were called to ministry just before marrying at the age of 30 and 31yrs old. As a family, they sometimes braved extreme challenges like frequent moves and winters with no heat as they lived in service to God and people through the United Methodist Church. She carried her parents’ legacy of faith, intellectual curiosity and practical kindness with her into adulthood, attending Morningside College, in Iowa and graduating with honors from the nursing program.

Shortly before graduation, her twin brother Tom brought his close friend and roommate Irvin Sutherland home for a holiday visit, and Irv and Ann went on to have 56 happy years of marriage before his passing in 2012. Moving from Bloomfield Hills to Glen Arbor in 1969, they built a new life with their young family, soon to be joined by the Hackneys and the brothers’ Sutherland families. They populated the Glen Arbor and Glen Lake open spaces, relishing the blessing of building a thriving little community in quiet spaces of Leelanau County.

Irv and Ann raised their three beautiful daughters Kae, Kris, and Jill on the shores of Little Glen Lake in the shadow of Sleeping Bear Dunes. They began their lifelong membership in Empire United Methodist church in 1969 and built their lives around loving their neighbors through Glen Lake Community Schools, Traverse City Area Public Schools, where Irv taught, and Munson Medical Center. Ann worked in orthopedics as a registered nurse until her retirement in 1987. Her many friends from her nursing years stayed close with her for decades, and every one of them had a story of how Ann came through for them. She always had a patient shoulder to cry on, a deep sense that life was hard and that was ok, and a blisteringly funny comment when you needed it most.

Irv and Ann added two sons in law (Ken & Dennis) who called them “Dad and Mom” and loved them as their own, adding seven grandchildren and eventually 18 great grandchildren. They threw themselves into grandparenting with gusto, and their grandchildren fondly remember halcyon days on the pontoon boat in Glen Lake with their Nanny and Gramps and never eat a white cheddar Cheezit without smiling for a moment to remember the thousand picnics Nanny packed for them.

Her lilac bushes were so big you could build a fort and host a tea party inside them (she did) and her evening card games were so legendary that time seemed to slow (she turned the clocks back so the grandkids wouldn’t be up past their bedtime if anyone asked). Summer days were fueled by her always-in-supply oatmeal raisin cookies, which rolled into summer evening family gatherings over strawberry shortcake. For the grandkids, these days often ended by spending the night, worn out in the best kind of way, falling asleep while Nanny scratched your back. Though she hosted a horde, she had a way of spending time with each one in a way that made them feel unique and special.

Sundays were a house full of wonderful smells and a table where the fine china was never too good for little kids. Saturdays were her face and Gramps’ in the bleachers, the auditorium, the stadium, or any other place a grandchild was singing, dancing, playing, practicing or performing. To this day, Irv and Ann’s Glen Arbor home is a treasured sanctuary for their children and grandchildren, who return regularly to build new memories together and reflect with joy on the past.

Ann spent her last 12 years in Bay Ridge Senior Living and then Grand Traverse Pavilions. Ann is finally at rest in the heaven she longed for, with her Lord she served so faithfully. Still the many people who love her will always hope a little that they’ll catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of their eyes, bent over on her favorite rolling garden bench, tending to the massive flower gardens. The home still thrives in her memory, just like her many loved ones who carry her legacy and light forever--burning brightly--in their souls.

A memorial service will be held to honor Ann at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 10th at Empire United Methodist Church, luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to EUMC (empiremiumc.org) memorial fund or the Pavilions (gtpavilions.org).