Sarah
Mes sincères condoléances Sarah a toi et la famille
SUTTON, Mary Lou
1953 - 2024
Mary Lou Sutton left this world on December 31st, 2024. She was 71 years old.
Mary Lou was born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on November 22, 1953 and lived in the Annapolis Valley until her final year of university at Bishops in Lennoxville, Québec where she earned her degree in theater.
Mary Lou moved to Yellowknife for a summer job and fell in love with the North, where she lived for more than 30 years. She called Inuvik and then Greenland home until she settled in Iqaluit. That’s where her three beloved children, Naja, Aqqalu and Nuka, were born. Mary Lou was a single parent from the time her youngest was two years old.
Her professional life was guided by her thirst for social justice, and by her love and respect for the Inuit people and her deep connections with them. Mary Lou held several positions with the Governments of the NWT and Nunavut as social worker, justice worker and community advocate. She was a fierce advocate for children and for women who were victims of violence, and a social justice warrior. She was also a strong and committed trade unionist who took on what seemed to many as hopeless causes – and won.
In 2004, Mary Lou moved to Ottawa to be with the love of her life, Sarah Bélanger, whom she married in May 2009. Mary Lou worked as a Policy Analyst at Status of Women Canada until her retirement.
Mary Lou was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago, and remained loving and brave until the very end. She was a kind and humble soul with a big heart, a witty sense of humour, an unmatched talent for storytelling. Up to her very last days, she looked upon the world with love, kindness and gratitude. She was not naive – she chose this world view. She saw the best in people. All of us who were fortunate enough to cross paths with her felt seen and were better for knowing her.
The family wishes to thank the Unité protétique team at the CHSLD Vigi de l’Outaouais for their outstanding and compassionate care and kindness. Our heartfelt thanks as well to Julie Gauthier who provided amazing care and companionship. Mary Lou was able to spend her final months at peace.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of her life on Friday January 24, 2025 at Coopérative funéraire de l’Outaouais, 95, boul. de la Cité-des-Jeunes (Hull). Family will receive condolences starting at 5 pm, followed by a small ceremony at 6 pm. Webcast available at : https://fweb.tv/163253
In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, a donation to YWCA-Agvik Nunavut can be made in Mary Lou’s honour.
Goodbye my love.
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