Linda Sutherland, beloved partner, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2022, with her caring life partner Fred and dear friend Leane at her bedside. Linda Kay Sutherland was proudly born on July 4, 1953, the first of two children born to Francis (Frank) and Fay Sutherland. After graduating from Borah High School, Linda attended Northwest Nazarene College where her parents, who were also alumni, had met.
After graduation from NNC, Linda returned to Boise where she worked for several years before moving to San Diego in the 1980s. There she continued her career as an administrative assistant in medical practices associated with the University of California, San Diego. Linda kept San Diego as her home as she loved the warm climate and the ocean. It was also where, in 1994, she met her life partner, Fred (Freddy) Kuhlman. Linda and Freddy became inseparable as they helped each other navigate through life.
Linda was a member of the Nazarene church and participated in many NNU alumni events, often attending with one of her parents. When her health permitted, she enjoyed traveling and
returned with many fond memories. Among other places, she took trips to Europe to visit her brother and his family, as well as making multiple visits to Freddy’s picturesque cabin. Linda had
a sense of humor that seldom quit. She also enjoyed having a good meal from one of her favorite restaurants and spending time listening to the ocean.
Family and friends were always important to Linda. She enjoyed special times when her mother would come to visit where the two of them enthusiastically partook in the many attractions San Diego had to offer. Linda also enjoyed traveling with her father when Fay was not available. Linda was a devoted daughter and when her parents’ health failed, Linda was an active advocate for each of them to the end. She helped provide and supervise their care over many years. Linda also kept active contact with her multitude of cousins and took great pleasure in
engaging with additional family connections when she was available.
Linda had a love of children. She took on the role of Aunt Linda to her niece Sophie with great delight. With Sophie living so far away, Linda found joy in being dubbed “honorary Aunt Linda”
by Leane’s children. When Freddy came into her life, her family circle extended to Freddy’s stepdaughter Noel and her children, Chandra, Austin, Shina, Cassie, and Jacob. She put effort
into the new relationships and was honored to be called Grandma Linda. She was proud of them all and when the first great grands Poppy and Teddy arrived, she delighted in having more
kid stories to share.
Linda faced numerous health issues throughout her life, which presented increasing challenges in recent years. Linda relied heavily on her dear Freddy. Her friend Leane continued in her role
as a sounding board and a source of help and comfort over the years. Linda was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her life partner Fred Kuhlman, her brother Douglas
(Nicolette) and her goddaughter Sophie, and numerous extended family members and dear friends.
Linda was buried in a private service at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise. A celebration of her life will be held in late April (details to be confirmed).