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Janet Sutherland Obituary
Janet R. SUTHERLAND Janet Sutherland died peacefully on May 9, 2011, leaving behind a rich legacy as an educator, an artist, a writer, and a lifelong working-class partisan and opponent of injustice. Born in Bellingham, Washington, on October 12, 1933, Janet grew up in the farmlands of Whatcom County. She was the Valedictorian of her Ferndale High School class and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Washington, where she also received her Master's Degree in English. In her 41 years as a high school English teacher, Janet made a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of students at Port Townsend (1956-61), Mercer Island (1961-67), and Bellevue's Interlake and Newport High Schools (1967-1997). Newport parents voted her Educator of the Year, and Newport students gave her the Intellectual Motivator Award. An outspoken advocate for high quality public education, Janet and her colleagues in Bellevue developed a district-wide Writing Competency Test that gave each student an individual profile of their strengths and weaknesses to be used as a tool to guide their development as writers and thinkers. Janet wrote many articles on educational topics and co-edited Women Portraits, a Women's Studies textbook in 1976. Janet served as a Negotiator and a Building Representative for many years with the Bellevue Education Association. She opposed funding cutbacks for education throughout her career. Janet was openhanded with time, money, and the home she shared with her longtime partner, Val Carlson. She wrote and edited for the Freedom Socialist newspaper and was a Board member of Red Letter Press, the publishing house of the Freedom Socialist Party, the party to which Janet devoted most of her adult life. A passionate feminist, Janet served on Seattle Radical Women's executive committee and penned innumerable statements, letters to the editor, and press releases until weeks before her death. She was renowned for her brevity and wit in meetings. Janet is survived by her partner Val Carlson; her brothers, David Sutherland of Omaha, Nebraska, and John Sutherland of Brooklyn, New York; her brother-in-law Bill Reeve and nephew Mike Reeve of Bellingham, Washington; her nephew Tim Reeve and great niece Joanne Reeve and great nephew Alan Reeve, of Dana Point, California; numerous extended family members, students, colleagues, and friends. Janet will be missed for her generosity and talents and for her calmness and humor that made hard times bearable and good times better. A public memorial celebrating Janet's life will be held at 2:30pm on July 16, 2011, at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Red Letter Press, 4710 University Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98104. Sign Janet's on-line Guest Book at www.Legacy.com.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Janet Sutherland
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Rita
May 30, 2023
Like a ship in the harbor....
Yumi Anna Ono
May 30, 2019
Ms. Sutherland impacted my life in profound ways. She was my English literature teacher at Newport High School. She opened my eyes through Edith Wharton and John Steinbeck. Taught me to read between the lines and words. Nurtured me to think - the deeper underlying meaning. I was not an exceptional student in her English class. Far from it. Quite the opposite. When I was struggling, she gave me warm words of encouragement which propelled me to want to do better. To go beyond my comfort zone. To strive for excellence. Push boundaries. Not give in and give up even when it was tough. These were qualities she taught me and I took it to college. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for your guidance, kindness, and wit. Thank you for being my teacher. RIP
S watercolor 1963
hombre de Island
January 1, 2016
Elaine Banham
July 16, 2014
Janet was my teacher at Interlake and I will always remember her warm intelligence and huge sense of fun. She certainly inspired me to write, to think and to imagine. Very grateful. With love.
Rita Smith
February 23, 2013
I just got the very belated news that Janet died nearly two years ago. It is hard to imagine a world without feisty, bright, laughing Janet in it. I remember so well our conversations about literature, politics, and spirituality, as well as our camping and road trips in the 70's. She was a wonderful colleague and friend.
Charlotte Lin
January 10, 2012
It appears I was in the last Mercer Island class that got to learn from Miss Sutherland. Somehow I once found myself at her place, listening to a Mimi and Richard Farina album . This memory kept coming back during the 8 years I spent in Ithaca NY: I got 28 credits in Art History courtesy of one of the "characters" in Farina's "Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me". Every time I saw H Peter Kahn, I saw that evening with Miss Sutherland...
Celia Lemonik
January 10, 2012
Miss Sutherland was my all-time favorite English teacher at Mercer Island HS. Her rendition of Vachel Lindsay's poem "The Congo" was priceless, and will always stay with me. She was a true original and a great teacher.
mary chi
October 10, 2011
dear Ms Sutherland I thought about you again today when I was doing english homework with my six year old daughter and remembered a great english teacher i had. was hoping to look you up and tell u how much you made a difference in my life.... but just realized i was just a few months too late. i am sorry. thank you so much. i miss you.
Christie Coppess Murphy
August 4, 2011
I vividly remember taking Ms. Sutherland's literature classes at Newport High School in the mid 80's. She was one of my favorite teachers, not only because I loved English but also because she challenged us to do our best. My condolences to all who loved her.
Trish Nugent
July 2, 2011
I was her student at Mercer Island High. She was a gift to me. I remember getting to see her house she built herself (or that's how I remember it). I wish she could have been an out lesbian during her time there. That must have been very painful. Looking back it was clear but at the time it was not even on the radar screen. So many gay kids could have been encouraged by her life and I hope that changed for her before she retired. Love, Trish Nugent
Paul K. Kim
June 28, 2011
I had several classes with Ms. Sutherland when I was a student at Newport High School in the late 90s. She was a phenomenal teacher who not only taught me to appreciate and love language, and helped me become a literate and successful adult, but one of the teachers at the school who most deeply cared for my well being and respected me as a developing adult. I will never forget the support that she gave me when I was so genuinely in need of her support.
We students always had a vague sense that Ms. Sutherland was also a very cool lady who had a wide range of interests and endeavors outside of teaching, but I never really asked the details. I moved out of town after high school and didn't return often to Seattle, but I wish I had had the chance to get to know her as an adult and friend and not just as a teacher.
Nancy Johnson Jones
June 28, 2011
First my sophomore English teacher at Port Townsend High school, then my English Department Chair, colleague and friend for many years at Interlake High School, Janet was a powerful influence on my development as a student and then as a teacher. At fifteen, I had never met a woman as intensely intelligent, literate and verbal, quick with a witticism and bark of a laugh. She made me think differently about being "just a smart girl" and made me respect learning in a way I had never experienced. She is in my personal pantheon of education GREATS.
Marti McBroom
June 26, 2011
I was a student at Interlake High School in the early '80's. Janet taught me one of my greatest loves....to put my voice on paper. She pushed and pushed till I let it out.
Gratefully, I'll never stop tickling keys! :)
June 23, 2011
Janet's life-long commitment to social justice is an inspiration for all of us who continue in the work. Let us honor her memory through our ongoing efforts to realize the vision that sustained her.
Gary Howard, Seattle
Joyce Blankenship
June 22, 2011
Val: I'd like to add Janet to our memorial page for our alumni newsletter this fall. Any chance you could email me a photo?
cedarrose61 at hotmail
Sandra MacLean
June 16, 2011
Janet was a friend and colleague for many years. we shared many a ride during the snow weather and gave each other courage as she so nimbly drove her car. She was a true crusader for justice and a lover of literature. Memories eternal, Janet, you will forever be in our hearts....I can still hear your laugh after someone's great and often rebald comment.
Andrea Liggett
June 14, 2011
Ms. Sutherland was my Journalism teacher at Interlake High School in the 70's. At first she was pretty intimidating but very quickly I realized that she was just trying to get the best out of us and thanks to her, this was the only time in my years of school where I actually won an award. I loved the class and I feel very fortunate to have had Ms. Sutherland as a teacher. May she rest in peace.
Chris Smith
June 12, 2011
Janet always supported spreading the wealth around. I just found this picture of her urging people to vote for I-1098, the Washington state initiative that would have installed an income tax for the seriously rich. Too bad it didn't pass, but then as Janet knew there's a string of defeats before you reach a victory. We'll keep trying Janet!
Anne Martin
June 12, 2011
In the 1960s Ms. Sutherland was one of my English teachers at Mercer Island High School (MIHS). She occasionally let us glimpse a wry, quirky, and ironic nature,so rare and delicious in a high school classroom. I had no idea how extraordinary she was, and in retrospect am deeply grateful that Ms. Sutherland had a place in the MIHS community. (Ms. S, is that last comma correct?)
Yumi Anna Ono
June 12, 2011
I was lucky to be in Ms. Sutherland's Honors English Class as a freshman at Newport High School in the 90's. She was a wonderful, caring teacher! Ms. Sutherland, you will be missed!
Danielle McClelland
June 10, 2011
It was a wonderful experience, in my early 20's, to attend a Radical Women event in Seattle only to spot one of the English teachers of my suburban high school leading one of the sessions. Taught me a lot about my assumptions. I wished then I had had the opportunity to be her student. It's clear she will be greatly missed.
Allison Lowy
June 10, 2011
I am saddened by the news of one of the greatest teachers in my experience. She had challenged me, inspired me, and supported me in my path to pursue writing. Mrs. Sutherland made a huge impact on my writing. When I look back now, her influence definitely helped me get through the grueling process of writing in my PhD program. She is missed.
Jordan Olson
June 10, 2011
I am sad to hear of Ms. Sutherland's death. She was a truly phenomenal teacher and is one of the handful of educators whose voices have never ceased to inspire me as a reader, writer and person. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.
Rita Lowy
June 10, 2011
Janet was a valued colleague and my daughter's very favorite English teacher. Janet took the time to edit and re-edit my daughter's college essays, inspiring her to write with more passion. I enjoyed our conversations and the knowledge that I was on the same staff with one of the finest teachers I knew. She will be missed by many whose lives she touched.
Jonathan Hsy
June 10, 2011
I was so saddened to receive this news today. I credit Ms. Sutherland for instilling in me a lifelong love of literature and encouraging me to pursue my interests in English. But most importantly, I will remember her humor, compassion, commitment to social justice, and the ways she inspired us to broaden our understanding the world around us. She certainly influenced not just our class but generations of young people - and I hope that I can be just as much a positive force for my own students.
Sara Imbruglio
June 10, 2011
I just got the sad news this morning. Ms. Sutherland was one of the most insightful and influential teachers I ever had the privledge of learning from. Wishing her friends and family peace and healing over the coming months.
Tim Kimsey
June 9, 2011
I've been lucky enough to have a number of teachers who have challenged and inspired me through their passion for their subject and it's impact on the world. From Beowulf to Brave New World and everything in between, Ms. Sutherland was one of the best. I hope my own children will be lucky enough to have a teacher as dedicated and impactful.
Michelle Flegel
June 9, 2011
It has been 15 years since I was graduated from NHS and I use not only the English lessons she taught me, but more importantly the compassion for others. I will never forget how much she cared for others and the support and encouragement she provided me personally during my high school years. Her wit and passion made everything that much more interesting and each semester I remember calculating out how I was going to register for another one of her classes before they filled up.
Ms. Sutherland you will be missed, but your spirit will live on through all of the lives you have touched.
Kelly Nelson-Adams
June 9, 2011
Just this morning I was sorting through my files getting ready to end the school year and found materials Janet had given me when she retired from Newport. An hour later another teacher stopped by my classroom and told me Janet had died.
I attended Newport in the early 80s and though I was never in her classes, I later became her colleague when I returned to Newport as a teacher. Janet inspired me to be the best writing teacher I could be. She was a phenominal teacher. The guidance she gave me as my career started was invaluable. She will always be in my heart.
Colleen Wadden
June 9, 2011
Janet Sutherland was my honors English teacher in 1987 at Newport High School. She was a calm force and an intellectual inspiration. I am grateful to have benefited from her teaching.
Annie LaCroix
June 9, 2011
I was a student of Mrs. Sutherland about 23 years ago. Over the years, I have thought of her fondly when I lose myself in a book. She taught me to love literature and to read beyond the words on the page. I am so sorry to hear of her passing but so grateful for her legacy.
Bernadette Logue
June 8, 2011
I was so lucky to have known Janet. She was a truly decent human being. There is no test to measure the impact she had on her students, family, comrades and the world at large. She will be missed. Val, you have all my love and sympathy.
Raymond Murphy
June 7, 2011
Val: Sorry to hear of Janet's passing. I remember her as a great scrabble player and a persnickety copy editor of the FSP newspaper (like all good English teachers. Talk to you one of these days, Val.
Here's a funny picture of Janet winning at Bingo two years ago at a Bingo BBQ at my house
June 7, 2011
I will miss Janet so very much. She was a neighbor, a fellow-rabble rouser, a wonderful writer, a big help anytime asked. She was principled, honest and cared very much about the world, doing so much to make it better.
Christina Lopez
June 7, 2011
Janet will be missed. It was an honor to work with her in Radical Women where she had a hand at editing and improving many written articles and political speeches. She was a life-long educator who always took time to improve the writing skills for any Radical Women member who needed assistance. I admired Janet because of her support for saving public education via smaller class sizes, adequate funding, and hiring more teachers and paying them decent living wage. She was also against the trend to privatize or turn public schools into charter schools.
June 7, 2011
Val, I was so sad to hear of Janet's death. I am very sorry for your loss. I had the honor of knowing Janet as a neighbor at the Shorewood Apts. when she taught at Mercer Island High, and as a teacher in the Bellevue School District. For several years I worked in the summer writing evaluation sessions with her. I learned how to write and how to teach writing from her. I had the pleasure of teaching the writing rubric developed by her and Sandra to elementary teachers.
Personally, I admired her sensitivity and caring for everyone; her sense of fairness was always so visible. I feel blessed to have known this extraordinary woman.
I also remember you when you were the attorney for the Bellevue School Dist. I wish you well as you go on and deal with the loss of Janet. Laura St. George
Joli Adams
June 7, 2011
After she was my English teacher, many of us kept up with Janet with visits. She played us Theodore Bikel, some of which I still sing, even in broken Hebrew, and sang with us a bit or played some classical we'd probably like. Because she played it, we did. My MIHS buddies have been keeping in touch lately, too, but I am too far away now. My love to all of you who read this.
Christopher Smith
June 6, 2011
I loved joining Janet on the labor picket lines, anti-war marches and abortion clinic defense teams. I know she racked up hundreds of thousands of miles on her sensible shoes! Thanks, Janet for putting your ideas into action and making this world a better place.
Joyce Blankenship
June 6, 2011
Dear Val, Every now and then you have an email show up unexpectedly in your box announcing the death of someone you really really liked. I had two this week: my cousin's husband and Janet. When I finally decided to bite the bullet and visit people I hadn't seen in the Seattle area for a while, I stopped by your house. No one home. I should have tried another day. I had Janet in 1960/61 at Port Townsend High. She made me laugh, she gave me confidence in my writing, she listened. Made an impression, that's for sure. I'll miss her Christmas letters too.
Susan Tower
June 5, 2011
Dear Ms. Carlson, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember "Miss Sutherland" as if it were yesterday instead of 46 years ago. I was so envious of those who got to be in her English class, and I listened closely to what they would tell me of class discussions, of her take on things. There was no one like her, was there? I am grateful that she was in this world and in your world. Wishing you well, Susan Tower
June 5, 2011
I knew and admired Janet for many years and intend to carry on her fight by supporting other teachers who champion education over the sanitized training-to-tests that's in vogue.
Ralph Becker
June 5, 2011
When I was a student teacher, and later a substitute at Interlake, Janet was a good friend, mentor and example. I've thought of her often.
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