The family of the late Adelbert L. and Marie Sutherland gathered Aug. 16, 2008 at the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church in Caribou, with 90 family members present 77 of which were direct descendants and their families.
Members of the Adelbert and Marie Sutherland family of Caribou posed for this family portrait some years ago.. From left, in front are; Esther Sutherland Page, Bertha Betty Sutherland Branscomb, Papa Adelbert “Dell” Sutherland, “Mama” Marie Hardacker Sutherland, “Judi” Judith Sutherland Greenier and Jean Eugenia Sutherland Pelletier Gardner. In back are Stanley Sutherland, Russell Sutherland, Marjorie Sutherland Giggie, Gretchen Sutherland Gallant, Margaret Sutherland Turner, Willis Sutherland and Hayden Sutherland.
Guests included cousins and special friends of the family and one mystery guest. It was a grand time of getting acquainted and reacquainted, hugs, prayers, singing and picture taking. In keeping with tradition established in previous reunions, one family member was selected to be honored and feted on this special day. For this reunion, Willis Reginald Sutherland, the ninth child and fourth son born to Marie and Adelbert L. Sutherland.
The focus of the program featured highlights of Willis’ life and he was honored by attributes given by his children and his brothers and sisters. The opening prayer and blessing was offered by Bryan McMullen, grandson of Bert and the late Margaret Sutherland Turner. Everyone enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner including a birthday cake for Willis and a wedding cake made by Judi Greenier in honor of she and husband Louis’ son Adam to Beth Raymond.
The fellowship hall was appropriately decorated with historical agricultural memorabilia from the Sutherland family farm. Also a wonderful display of photographs as well as the Sutherland clan tartan was enjoyed.
Special recognition was given to the two youngest in attendance, Grace McMullen and
Alexander Thibodeau, as well as the two oldest in attendance, Bert Turner and Hayden Sutherland.
The family of Bert and the late Margaret (Sutherland) Turner was recognized for having the most family present — 16. A prize was given to Russell Sutherland of St. Petersburg, Fla., for having traveled the farthest. Special recognition was also given to two recently married couples, Mark Hrusk, grandson of Gretchen (Sutherland) Gallant and the late Harold Gallant to Wendy Wu. The second couple recognized was Adam Greenier, son of Judi and Louis Greenier, to Beth Raymond. Each couple was presented with a detailed 20-inch by 30-inch diagram of the Sutherland family tree made by Betty Branscom.
Those attending were: Hayden and Shirley Sutherland, Rebecca Sutherland, Paul and Debbie Sutherland and children, Logan and Gabby, all of Woodland. Adelbert W. Sutherland and Dawn Hite, Brian Sutherland. Taylor Sutherland all of Caribou, and Ingrid Braley of Mapleton; from the family of Gretchen (Sutherland) Gallant, Marie (Gallant) Hruska, Mark and Wendy Hruska of Massachussetts, Bert Turner, husband of the late Margaret (Sutherland) Turner, Lorraine (Turner) and Mike McMullen, Heidi McMullen, Craig and Jennifer McMullen and children; Naomi, Dakota, Judah, Keoni. Bryan and Beth McMullen and children; Noah, Ezra, Grace, Sophia, all of New York. Stanley Sutherland of Connecticut, Marjorie (Sutherland) Giggie of Caribou. Elbridge Giggie; Jeffrey Giggie, Melissa (Giggie) Dyer and children, Amelia and Elizabeth, all of Presque Isle.
Also, Esther Page of Caribou, Sallie (Page) and Ted St. Pierre, Stacy(St. Pierre) and Steve Thibodeau and children, Mia and Alexander, all of Woodland; Valerie (Page) and Alroy Chow, of Bangor; Jean (Sutherland) Pelletier and Elden Gardner of Portage Lake; Sheila Pelletier, Willis and Gloria Sutherland, Colleen Sutherland, Kendall and Debbie Sutherland. Stuart and Kim Sutherland. Sharan (Sutherland) Thibodeau and family Kylie and Coty, all of Caribou.
Also, Allyson (Sutherland) and Bob Masse and children Rylan and Keanen all of Woodland;
Betty (Sutherland) Branscom. Scott Branscom, Bert and Michelle Branscom all of Caribou.
Russell Sutherland of Florida; Cheryl (Sutherland) Laska and daughter Jaclyn, Kevin Young and his two children; all of Connecticut; Judi (Sutherland) and Louis Greenier of Cross Lake; Adam and Beth (Raymond) Greenier of Colorado; Cousins; Edwina Mills of Caribou and Gwendolyn Bragg of Washburn; Geraldine McAfee and son Charlie McAfee of Houlton; Charlie Huston, Dorothy Bouchard all of Caribou.
Neighbors and friends included Priscilla and Keith Neilander of Woodland and one mystery guest.
If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy of the family tree contact Betty Branscom at 493-4487.
