Mary Alice Lafond

Mary Alice Lafond of Neptune Beach died in her home on February 5, 2024, surrounded by love, after a 7-1/2 year journey with Lewy body dementia. The second of the four "Dancing Lafond Sisters," Mary was a force of nature from birth: fiercely independent and a natural leader, insightful and articulate, rational, practical, and always loving. Born July 5, 1950 in Bellingham, WA to Jim and Alice (Trodden) Lafond, she grew up in Ferndale and Napavine, WA, where her dad was a teacher and school superintendent. She graduated from Napavine High School in 1968, got her BA at Western Washington University in 1972, and earned her Master's at Seattle University in 1975. She was exceptionally close with all three of her sisters, and was maid of honor in each of their weddings.

Mary served youth her entire career, spending 23 years at Echo Glen Children's Center and working her way up to Asst. Superintendent before moving on to spend 7 years as the CEO of the Child Study and Treatment Center, Washington State's mental hospital for children. After retiring and moving to Neptune Beach, she worked locally for Brigid Collins Family Services and set up Child Advocacy Centers in Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties, while also serving as a trainer for Darkness to Light, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood sexual abuse. In her spare time, she ran the Ferndale Holiday Giving Store for several years and was the co-chair of two successful Sandy Point Fire District 17 levy campaigns. As one Brigid Collins colleague put it, "Mary was a powerhouse who got things done!".

Mary met her husband Jim Sutter while out with friends watching a Sonic playoff game. Neither remembers if the Sonics won, but they were married June 18, 1983 and welcomed sons James Lafond Sutter in 1984 and Anthony Lafond Sutter in 1988.

Mary was a perpetual motion machine, and her neighbors could set their clocks by her daily jogging or biking past their homes. She had a deep connection to Neptune Beach, where her grandparents had lived when she was a child, and eventually moved into her dream house there, built by Jim and within shouting distance of her own parents in the family cabin and her sister Jeanne and brother-in-law Bill Carroll right next door. Mary loved family gatherings of all sorts and was always always up for a game, a conversation, or a piece of her famous peanut butter fudge. She also adored long boat trips in the Salish Sea or visiting the Trodden family cabin in Chesaw, WA, for the annual 4th of July Rodeo. Yet her greatest joy were her two sons, whom she raised with both, thoughtful reason and unwavering love.

Mary was an inspiration to everyone who knew her, and the family is deeply grateful to the many people who rallied around her during her long illness. Neighbor, and dear friend Dr. Pierre Constantin, worked with her multiple times a week as she battled to retain balance and strength. Bill Carroll provided years of daily meals when she could no longer cook. The Sandy Point Book Group continued to welcome her with open arms even after reading became impossible. And a particular thanks are owed to caregivers Linda Roberts, Diana Curtis, and Elia Barrios, as well as to nephew Randy Carroll and neighbor Michael Roberts, for all their support over the past few years.

Mary is remembered by her husband Jim Sutter; son James Lafond Sutter (Margo Arnold), Seattle, WA; son Anthony Lafond Sutter (Maria Giugliano), Portland, OR; sister Jeanne Carroll (Bill), Neptune Beach, WA; sister Patty Lafond (John Cleary), Centralia, WA; sister Kathryn Lafond (George Brooks), Bainbridge Island, WA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family requests remembrances to Brigid Collins Family Support Center, 1231 N. Garden St., Suite 200, Bellingham, 98225.

A private family gathering to spread her ashes will take place on Mary's birthday, July 5, 2024, at Neptune Beach. A gathering to celebrate her life will be Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 1pm at the home of Jeanne (Lafond) and Bill Carroll. A luncheon will follow next door at the Sutter-Lafond family home. In honor of Mary, please wear red and EXPECT chocolate!