When Louise Cooley Sutherland was born on Aug. 24, 1907, she entered a world that didn’t offer many opportunities for women at the time.
But that didn’t stop her from being educated, independent, active, charitable and successful in every facet of her life from volunteer work to business to family.
‘She is a Renaissance woman,? said daughter Sue Sutherland. ‘She’s just amazing.?
On Friday, Sutherland, who lived in Lake Orion for about 60 years, will celebrate her 100th birthday. She now resides in a nursing home in Rochester Hills.
Sue attributed her longevity to her faith as a Christian Scientist. Sutherland frequently attended the First Church of Christ, Scientist in downtown Oxford.
‘It’s probably the reason she’s so healthy,? Sue said. ‘Her mental outlook on life is everything will always be fine. She thinks good thoughts and everything will always work out. Anger was never a part of her life.?
A quick look at Sutherland’s life shows it’s true.
Although she was born and raised in Lansing, Sutherland’s heart bleeds Maize and Blue.
She is the great, great niece of James Angell, who served as president of the University of Michigan from 1871-1909, and many of her family members served on the faculty in Ann Arbor.
After attending Mary Lyons Prep School in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Sutherland was accepted to U-M, where she excelled in academics and athletics.
Sutherland earned varsity letters in tennis and field hockey. Today, she’s the oldest living female varsity letter winner.
In 1929, Sutherland graduated from U-M’s College of Literature, Science and Arts with a degree in languages.
Even though she met her husband, Loy Sutherland, at U-M, Sutherland did not follow the usual path of many young girls who got married straight out of college.
Instead, she went to work.
From 1929-33, Sutherland worked at the Lansing location of the Library of Congress in the Music and Art Department.
She also served as Director of the Girl Scouts for Central Michigan, which encompassed 10 counties, and as province secretary for Delta Gamma Fraternity, which gave her the opportunity to travel five states.
In 1933, Sutherland married Loy, a happy union that would last until his death in 1980. The couple settled in Lake Orion.
Each had their own business ? Louise had a women’s clothing store called the ‘Style Shop? in downtown Lake Orion and Loy had Sutherland Oil Company, which had numerous locations with the main office in Oxford.
When Loy left to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Louise operated both businesses from 1943-47.
Today, Sutherland continues to be financially supportive of U-M sports, the Cooley Gardens in Lansing (she’s the great granddaughter of Judge Thomas M. Cooley) and Crittenton Hospital in Rochester.
Sutherland’s contributions are always done without fanfare or publicity and that’s the way she likes it, according to Sue.
‘Everything she gives in her life she gives without people knowing,? Sue said. ‘She gets very embarrassed.?
Throughout her life, Sutherland was active in Lansing Junior League, a national women’s organization that does a lot of community work, and the Lake Orion Eastern Star, where she’s a past Matron.
If there’s one word that sums up Louise Cooley Sutherland, it’s ‘grace.?
‘She is a lady to the nth degree,? Sue said. ‘My mother never talks about herself.?
‘I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who disliked my mother,? Sue noted. ‘She is the sweetest little person you’ve ever met.?
Sutherland’s legacy lives on in her two children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.