Barbara Jane Sutherland nee: Smith, passed away on August 26 after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Devoted wife of Harold W. Sutherland; beloved mother of Kristan H. Mason and husband C. Todd Mason, Benjamin M. Cox and wife Kristen L. Cox, and Katherine E. Sutherland and partner Grant A. Strebel; loving grandmother of Brittnie A. Lauderdale and husband Timothy G. Lauderdale, Haley N. Mason, B. Dawson Cox, and Saige N. Cox; proud oldest sister to three brothers and two sisters, and loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Barbara was a cherished and dedicated friend to countless people, with many relationships lasting for decades.

Starting at a very young age as a bank teller, Barbara ascended through the ranks of corporate America as a highly honored and successful skilled sales and relationship professional. She led effective teams in completing highly complicated and sophisticated projects for Fortune 500 companies in the financial services industry, and sold and managed IT strategy and systems, all while maintaining strong long-term relationships lasting beyond specific roles and positions. Later in life, Barbara was a graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Consulting.

Barbara was passionate, a good listener, a caring and concerned member of her community, loved to travel, a walker, a dog lover, an art enthusiast, a dedicated volunteer, and a generous supporter of charitable causes. She loved celebrating holidays, events, and relationships with friends and family, and she always did it with style and panache. She is already dearly missed, and we know her legacy will live on for decades.

A memorial celebration will be held in the future. Please contact the family for details. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Barbara's honor to Friends of the Forest Preserves, PAWS Chicago, the American Cancer Society, or your favorite charitable organization.