I was remembering Verna and Fred both just the other day and all the times we shared. Now that she is in Glory and my own dear Mom has passed as well I truly miss the spiritual leadership of these fine ladies in my life. With the quarantine I have not been able to interact with several of those around me who can fill that role and Verna, my second MOM is most dearly missed.

We can't believe a year has passed already, but Verna is always in our thoughts. We miss her and hope the whole family is coming through this loss with wonderful memories. We want to be there for Fred whenever he will allow us. Verna would be proud of all of you!

I probably knew Verna before everyone else who reads this! She was the daughter of my father's sister, Nettie Sutherland Hodge. My father, Bert Sutherland, gave his sister a direct transfusion to no avail, and she died at age 29, when Verna was only a toddler. Verna and her baby brother Bruce then lived with my Sutherland grandparents in Toronto.

My first memory of Verna was hearing her cry out excitedly when we would drive up to the house after a long car trip from the States; she was then a late-teenager, and I was 14 years younger. I also remember her taking me to the corner store for a Neilson's ice cream cone and trying to stop my hiccups by asking me to remember what I had had for dinner the night before. It worked! I always felt very loved when I was around her. A couple of years later, she came to New Jersey to live with us for a while. I still have her application for a visa.

I remember when Verna brought Fred to Mary Lake where we were vacationing, and I admired her perfume. She told me it was "Patra"--and when my husband and I were stationed in Germany a few years later, I bought a little bottle, remembering that wonderful aroma!

After those years our contacts were few, but always times of love and laughter. The Canadian cousins saw Verna and Fred more frequently because Rochester wasn't too far from Toronto. My cousins Sid and Marie (Hope and Murray Daniels's children) both expressed sorrow at Verna's passing--although it was a joyous event for Verna! Marie said, "This is a bitter loss. I loved Verna. She was always so lovely to our family, and they were always faithful about coming to our parties. That is sad news." Sid regrets that there is no one left who remembers our parents when they were young. After they died, we often asked Verna questions by phone, and she always filled in the details with enthusiasm and happy memories.

Our last visit with Verna and Fred was about 10 years ago when we detoured to The Villages after a Bible conference in Orlando. We had trouble with our rental car, and so the next hours were spent with Fred and Verna dashing around twice to the repair shop and back, taking us to dinner, and finally sending us on our way. But the visit was delightful, despite all of the hurrying, and they stayed up past midnight to receive our phone call that we had arrived safely at the hotel. What hearts of love and concern they always had--true examples of Christ's love and compassion.

One more saint awaits us in Heaven!

My friendship with Verna came within the last years of her life. In that short period and with limited time spent together it was obvious that she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her verve for life was contagious as was that beautiful smile. Her warm and compassionate traits were many. Her attachment to me was special and she immediately changed me from stranger to friend. She will surely be missed forever by all who knew her and loved her. "I thank God for every remembrance."   Martha Baptista

We, my family and I, were blessed to have met Verna five years ago when moving to Wheaton, IL because Barb and Mike were willing to share her with us when she visited. We enjoyed her sweet smile and and encouraging words. She impressed my four kids with her caring heart and interest in them. She was another grandmother to them. I want to follow her example of investing in others lives and one day being an invested grandmother. I not only can truly say I am better because I knew her, but also because she left a clear example for me to follow.

I have such great memories of Verna (always Mrs. Doerscheln to me) and the special times I spent with your family. She was such a beautiful example of how to be a lady. Her christian testimony always shone through in her devotion to her Savior, husband and family. She will be greatly missed, but I can just see her dancing in heaven.

We have known Verna and Fred for about 12 years. It has been a pleasure and a joy! We have done so many things together, trips, Church Tea Party, events, dinner out, and, of course, cards! Verna was a strong, proud person who had strong beliefs, that overflowed into everyone who knew her, sometimes people did not agree with her, but that was okay..... We loved her so much and we miss her, but we are very grateful for the time we had with her. We tended to call her the "little lady" and she would always tell us "she's a big girl now!" Well "big girl", enjoy your life with the "Lord" !

I remember Aunt Verna with wise words a smile and hugs that make you feel safe and loved. I did not get to see her enough but i am ever grateful that she was a part of my life.

I always loved getting hugs from Grandma D. I usually don't like hugs, but I always love getting them from her and grandpa D. It was great having her at my graduation and eating lunch afterwards.
She loved picking fights with Mr G and I'd enjoy being an accomplice every chance I got.
The funniest memory is when she said she ask Linnae to find me a guy at Wheaton. Praying that I'll find the right man. I'll continue that prayer because even though she was praying I have to pray too.
Love you always and thank you for adopting me into your family!

Mom's favorite verses: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track." Proverbs 3:5,6