Louise Sutherland

The force of nature known as Louise Parker Sutherland, age 83, passed away suddenly on June 16, 2017 in Henderson, NV.  Born March 26, 1934, she was raised in Memphis, TN to Jewel and Jesse Parker.  She attended Humes High School where she was proud to have skipped ahead two grades.  Louise loved telling everyone she met about attending high school with Elvis Presley and seeing him perform in early club shows.

Louise attended George Peabody College, which is now a part of Vanderbilt University, graduating with a degree in French.  She was set up on a blind date with William P. Sutherland who became her husband of 57 years.  Upon marrying William, Louise became a proud Navy wife.  With her husband absent for long tours of submarine duty, Louise always managed to create a loving home in every new city, whether it was Navy base housing, an apartment, house or London flat.

In her lifetime Louise moved 16 times (not counting living on a boat with two small children in Charleston, SC).  Two highlights of these homes were Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and London, England.  In London our mom chose to forgo living in military housing outside the city in favor of the central London experience.  The family ended up living on Abbey Road where The Beatles could be spied going in and out of their Apple Studio.  Louise was tickled that our flat appeared on the cover of the Abbey Road album.  While in London our parents had a weekly date night going to West End shows where they saw original productions of Man of La Mancha, Hair and Hello, Dolly, among others.

Louise had a passion for travel and a tremendous sense of adventure.  She visited 42 countries on 5 continents including Morocco, Tahiti, Cuba (during the '50s), New Zealand, Australia, Brazil and most of Europe.  As an example of her fearless spirit, in the 1960s she visited Russia during the Cold War and accompanied her husband behind the Iron Curtain to Berlin.

Our mom exuded the true essence of fun-loving.  Since moving to Las Vegas our family enjoyed approximately 236 shows, taking full joyous advantage of all of the exciting entertainment.  Louise loved visiting zoos, Sea World, swimming with dolphins and snorkeling.  Recently she spoke of going back to Grand Cayman to experience the warm, clear waters and tropical marine life one more time.  Last month she embarked on a road trip that included 2 full days at Disneyland for her and Austin. The delight she experienced was so strong that immediately on her return home she enthusiastically suggested a return visit with Lynne in the fall. While we were growing up we got to see every circus and ice show that came to town, with Mom as excited as her daughters, or maybe more so.

As a passionate animal lover, even with all the relocations, 10 Boston Terriers and a menagerie of other animal species became part of our family.  A few of the more exotic pets were a skunk, snakes, an alligator and ducks.  Louise found the snakes useful for keeping the in-laws at bay.  She always welcomed any new creature we brought home.  Since moving to Las Vegas in 2001, Louise personally saved and fostered over 100 Boston Terriers through the Southern Nevada Boston Terrier Rescue.  For a period of time she was the only person running the rescue and fostering.

In addition to raising money for the Boston Terrier Rescue, she regularly donated to over 10 animal and veteran charities.  Her kind-hearted and generous nature inspired her to contribute to charities for donkeys, tigers, lions and guiding eye dogs.

Louise is survived by her daughters, Sharon Austin and Lynne Kourtidis, as well as her three granddogs, Maverick, Peanut and baby Angie.  Austin and Lynne will forever be grateful for this incredible, vibrant, adventurous mother who raised us to love animals and want to see the world.

In lieu of flowers a memorial donation in Louise Sutherland’s honor can be made to one of her favorite charities.  It would be very much appreciated.