14.05.1958 – 01.08.2026
Frances Sutherland, cherished soulmate, mother, grandmother, sister and friend died as she had wished, peacefully at home. She was surrounded by her loving family and beloved dogs, Addie and Sloane.
A private cremation is being arranged and all the details of Frances’ celebration of life are below.
Date:
A Beautiful memorial was held on Wednesday 12th August 2026
Notes:
Please share your messages & memories of Frances in the Guestbook below
Guests were invited to dress in the spirit of Frances – colour or a touch of colour
I used to open jars by punching a hole in the lid, but then Frances showed a jar lid popper she declared to be the bees knees.
I finally found one when in Cairns and purchased immediately….and so began the halcyon jar lid popping.
For all those years, when I popped a lid I often gave quiet thanks to Frances: and now a warm remembrance will pop to mind with each jar.
Kindness. I will miss wonderful Frances.
Dear Simon
I will always remember Frances’ calm and smiling presence in the Forests Commission days. I admired her spirit in being part of the mill crew. Reconnecting occasionally after many years, she was still the same kind and generous person , with interesting stories to tell but also interested in others. She is a great loss and I am thinking of you and your family at this saddest of times
Dear Simon and family
All my deepest condolences to you all. I think the above messages sum up Frances perfectly – kind, intelligent, love of family to name just a few. Take care and all my thoughts and fondest wishes to you all.
Dear Campbell and family,
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved Frances. We are keeping you all in our thoughts during this difficult time. While pain of loss remains, the life lessons, beautiful memories, and the enduring love she shared will always prevail. Much love, Daniel, Melissa & Ezra McKenzie
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille, Ella and extended family. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you at the sad loss of Frances, your beautiful partner, mother and friend of so many, including your ‘Forestry Family’. I have just watched the livestream of the memorial service for Frances from Greece and it was a wonderful tribute to a beautiful, gracious and caring lady who we loved as a dear friend. Well done Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella for honouring Frances so beautifully in your time of grief and loss. We will always cherish our memories of the wonderful times we have spent with Frances at our annual Forestry Reunions and other times together over the decades. All our love,
Ian and Robyn Christie and Family.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille Ella and family,
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences on the loss of Frances. While words offer only small comfort right now, we wanted to let you know that our family is keeping yours in our thoughts.
Frances raised a truly wonderful son in Campbell and we are so grateful for the family bond we share. We are sending you all our strength, love, and support as you navigate this heartbreaking loss.
With deepest sympathy
Derek and Tina
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille, Ella and family,
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences on the loss of Frances. While words offer only small comfort right now, we wanted to let you know that our family is keeping yours in our thoughts.
Frances raised a truly wonderful son in Campbell and we are so grateful for the family bond we share. We are sending you all our strength, love, and support as you navigate this heartbreaking loss.
With deepest sympathy
Derek and Tina
To Frances’ family – my thoughts are with you at this sad time. I was a friend of Frances from the Cabrini Cancer and Wellness Centre, where we went to the gym together. Frances was always so positive, and I enjoyed the exercise classes with her. She had such a positive outlook always making an effort to attend despite pain or discomfort. Her favourite saying as she arrived with a smile “better late than never”. It has been nice to continue with this group through our coffee catch ups – sharing experiences and family milestones. She proudly shared a photo of her new granddaughter recently 💕 Rest in peace Frances.
Sue xx
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella,
Our deepest condolences to you during this sad time . We have such lovely memories of Frances during our time at Ripponlea P.S . She was such a lovely , kind and caring person . We too enjoyed many of her beautiful cakes while sitting outside in your beautiful backyard watching the kids play .
We will always treasure those memories.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Michelle, Laura, Camille, and Ella,
We are holding you all so closely in our hearts during this heartbreaking time. Words feel inadequate when a life as bright as Frances’ is cut short far too soon. Her courageous journey through treatment and her choice to end it on her own terms speak so deeply to her extraordinary strength, grace, and independence of spirit.
We will always treasure the memory of Frances joining us for her very first Foresters reunion. She seamlessly blended into our group with such ease. It was only later, when she quietly and humorously confessed how nervous she had initially been—wondering how she would fit into Simon’s close-knit forestry cohort—that we all had a wonderful laugh together. In truth, it felt as though she had been part of our Creswick days from the very beginning.
Frances was, above all, such a deeply proud Mum. At every annual gathering, over a warm cup of coffee and a slice of one of her delicious, healthy home-baked treats, her eyes would light up as she shared updates on everything Campbell, Camille, and Ella were accomplishing. Her love for her family was central to everything she was.
While our gathering in WA will feel painfully incomplete without her gentle presence, Frances’ spirit, warmth, and memory will remain woven into our time together, always.
With all our love, sympathy, and deepest warmth,
Gary, Rhonda, Jeffrey, Rowena, Michelle and Kirralee.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille & Ella
I have known Frances through our bookclub of almost twenty years. We shared our love of books -discussions on plot, character, theme, believability, which generally leads into a sharing of life experience.
We also shared a number of weekends away as a group – Byron Bay Writer’s Festival, Adelaide Writer’s Festival, and trips to Blairgowrie, Flinders, Ocean Grove, Venus Bay, Inverloch spring to mind.
When I think of Frances, I remember so many things – her quick wit; her love of gardening; her appreciation of the environment; her interest in travel and the world around her; her creativity in the kitchen; her ability to ‘tell a story’ with sparkly, expressive eyes, mischievous chuckle and often highlighting the funny side, so we could laugh along with her, and of course, good coffee.
Darling Frances, I will miss you dearly. Thank you for the ‘teaching’ and care you showed.
Heartfelt condolences to the Murphy family.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella,
We are so deeply sorry for the loss of Frances. We will fondly remember her infectious laugh and warm nature. I hope this time is filled with lots of beautiful memories of the life you shared together. I know she will be dearly missed. Thinking of you all, Laura and Ross
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella
Frances was a truly kind, gentle and loving friend. There are not many people in the world who embrace those around them with kindness, curiosity and love but Frances did.
We can’t imagine the void there will be in your lives but hopefully in time you can draw strength from knowing you struck gold to call her yours.
With love from all of us.
Lindsey, Tim, Flo and Harry
PS Thank you Frances for making us new Australians feel so welcome seventeen years ago. Your rabbit casserole was delicious!
Our friendship has only spanned several years but Frances was a special friend to me. We bonded over long walks during COVID lockdowns. We shared common interest in animals, gardens, the Australian landscape, local history & a strong belief in the potential of the disadvantaged, especially young people. I have good memories exploring St Kilda Cemetery with her & finding the sacred Corroboree Tree.
Frances was a quiet & reserved person who could easily be underestimated in a group setting. She made astute observations & had a great memory for scientific detail. She had so much to give to her family & friends. She will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
To Simon and Family
Frances was a dedicated, caring and nurturing person. I had the pleasure of working with Frances over many years at Mossfiel P.S.
France’s love of books was reflected in her classroom library. France’s love for nature was evident in her having her students study and learn about stick insects.
Thinking of Frances’s family at such a difficult and sad time.
Thank you Frances for your support and many conversations over the years at Mossfiel.
Thank you Frances. You will be sadly missed but well remembered. Frances was one of those rare people, truly warm and kind which she showed in so many ways. Always there to lend a hand if you needed it, thoughtful and caring. Frances was a wonderful Auntie to our children. We will remember the welcoming home created with Simon and the children, the beautiful garden, wonderful cooking and of course great coffee and tea which was shared with many over the years. Frances faced life without fuss, and she approached the final stage of her life’s journey with courage, peace and dignity, making a difficult time gentler for those around her. Frances will always be remembered with great love and affection, she will live on in our memories and the many stories we continue to share about her.
Dear Ella and family, I had the priviledge to meet Frances via the Cabrini exercise group. She was always a ray of sunshine in the group, friendly, gentle, positive, genuine and always welcoming. She lighted up the room no matter what type of day I had and reminded me of the joy of living each moment in life.
Dear Ella and family,
I met Frances via the Cabrini exercise group. I remember Frances as a bright spark, gentle, friendly, honest and positive as we huffed and puffed through exercise. She lighted up the room no matter what rype of day it was.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella, my heart goes out to you all and I know words cannot replace the loss of your beautiful mum and wife, but I do hope the memories and love being shared here bring you comfort; to know how much she was loved and how she touched us all in so many different ways.
I have such fond memories of Frances from the time our boys started prep at Ripponlea PS. We have shared many special times together, however one of the best memories was our girls trip to Kakadu to celebrate our shared 50th birthdays with Barb, Jeanette, myself and Frances. We backpacked and laughed, camped and laughed, hiked and laughed again. I feel so honoured to have celebrated that special time with her.
I will always remember Frances for her incredible moral compass, her love of the garden, the environment and most of all, her family; you all made her so very proud.
Ian and I send our deepest condolences to you all. We will be joining the memorial from afar and have you all in our hearts
With love, Lea and Ian
It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to a beautiful friend, Frances.
We met when our daughters started high school together, and over the years I came to know her as a truly caring, kind, and loving person. She had a warm heart, a gentle spirit, and a wonderful way of making those around her feel welcome and valued.
Frances will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. I feel grateful to have known her and to have shared some memories over the years.
My heartfelt condolences go out to her family during this incredibly difficult time. Rest peacefully, Frances. You will always be remembered with love.❤️
Oh Frances..the memories, our worm presentation for Julia Gillard, your stick insects, hellebores, trees, your warmth, wisdom, humour, the love for your family. R.I.P my friend.
Sending condolences to Frances’ family and friends. I am a fairly recent friend as we met a few years ago through the Cabrini Cancer Wellness Centre as gym buddies and a group of us had kept in touch since through regular coffee mornings at Millstone. We will miss Frances. Best wishes to all.
Sending condolences to Frances’ family & friends. I am a fairly recent friend as we met just a few years ago through the Cabrini Cancer Wellness Centre as gym buddies & a group of us has kept in touch through regular coffee mornings at Millstone. We will miss Frances. Sending best wishes to all.
To the Sutherland family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Frances was such a thoughtful and friendly person.
I worked closely with her at Mossfiel and saw the true dedication she showed to the students in her care.
She had an amazing ability to relate to all and remain calm and focussed on ensuring all students had the best learning opportunities.
Frances will be remembered and missed by many.
Darling Frances….a joy to be with, kind, funny, quick & clever..filled with energy & enthusiasm, plus a magnificent cook!
The ‘drama lama’ tales of the little ones under your professional care..sometimes you didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but you always knew the children were so well nurtured, with Frances.
The wonderful years at Ripponlea, kindy then primary school, the 50th birthday ‘back packers’ trip to Kakadu & the adventure that that became.
Girls day hikes over the years & the Overland track.
Our nearly 20 yrs of Book Club with your insight & passion.
We love you dear girl & always will….you’ll live on in your beautiful kids & little Laura also.
Dearest Simon Campbell Camille & Ella, big hug & much love.
Barb, Scarlett & Oscar X
With heartfelt thoughts – My Condolences to Simon on the passing of the most Gentle of person .Frances.
To Campbell, Camille and Ella – I am sorry for your loss of a most kind and compassionate Mum
May those enduring qualities of Kindness, Compassion and Love – given so freely to others by .Frances. support and remain with her Family long past this difficult time
So sorry to hear this news deepest condolences to Simon Campbell Camille and Ella -such a happy woman always positive and welcoming you will be dearly missed by family and friends thinking of you all xx
Frances was such a wonderful, supportive & respectful loving person and who was always passionate whilst guiding & caring deeply for all of her students.
I will always have fond memories of our times together in and outside the classroom.
Love & thoughts to you all at this time xx
Frances was such a wonderful, supportive & respectful loving person and who was always passionate whilst guiding & caring deeply for all of her students.
I will always have fond memories of our times together in and outside the classroom.
Love & thoughts to you all at this time xx
To the loved ones of Frances, I am so sorry for your incredibly sad loss.
Frances was such a special human whom I had the privilege to work with. It was at the start of my teaching career, that I was blessed to share the classroom next door. Frances was such a shining light, someone who cheered you on, shared her passions and wisdom. I always admired her courage to speak when things were not right.
I will always remember the days with her beautiful, warm smile and great humor.
Thinking of you all and may you all be comforted by the memories you shared and the incredible legacy she has left.
Frances was one of the most thoughtful, caring and genuine people I have had the honour of knowing. As a fellow teacher, I was constantly inspired by her beautiful teaching style which was always full of warmth and care to her students. Everyone loved Mrs Sutherland and wanted to be in her class! When I think of Frances, I picture her big, friendly smile, always ready to welcome or chat to anyone who came her way. I am terribly sorry to her beautiful family who I know will be missing her deeply. Rest in Peace Frances, you will always be remembered with great fondness in mine and my family’s memories.
The world has lost a wonderful woman. Frances was such a strong, intelligent and caring woman with a wry sense of humour.
We were so lucky to have crossed paths at Kinder, primary and secondary schools and to have benefited from Frances’ amazing community spirit and organisational prowess.
( who could forget the annual Frances Xmas Tree fundraiser ?)
Our thoughts and love to Campbell, Camille, Ella and Simon and we hope that amongst the grief you can savour the better times.
To Simon and family
So very sad to hear the news. What a lovely friend she was to me. So much history from high school, Armidale and then Bondi and Parramatta. I will miss her so much as will her other school friends.
A remarkable and courageous lady whom i will never forget. I look fwd to attending the memorial.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella,
I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Francis was always such a beautiful warm person. Our family was blessed to have known her and shared times together, especially when our children were young and growing up.
I know Simon will miss her deeply. My heart also goes out to you kids. Daniel, Monique and Josh are still grieving the loss of their mother Marita only four months ago. I imagine you too are also grieving your own mum so deeply.
It’s a tragedy loosing your mum whenever they die. It’s harder when Francis was still so young.
My thoughts, prayers and love are with you all.
I’m sorry I won’t be at the memorial, I’m away traveling.
Love Bill Wall
I was so deeply saddened to hear about Frances’s passing. Frances was truly one of those special people. She mentored me during my first year of teaching. She was the kind of teacher you always hoped your own children would be privileged enough to have – someone so warm, trustworthy, and wise.
While she was an outstanding educator, she was an even better human being. Frances always put others before herself and spoke with such intentional, thoughtful care. Penny Densley, Frances and I had so many laughs together. An absolute privilege to know her.
She will be so dearly missed. Sending you all my love, thoughts, and strength during this time.
Vanessa
Dear Simon & family, I am so sad to be writing this message to remember Frances.
My contact with Frances has been through our wonderful bookclub, where we all share our love of reading & the closeness from many evenings & trips away together. I shall miss her lovely laugh & pithy humour.
Dearest family of Frances, I feel very blessed to have had such a kind and thoughtful cousin, I am so thankful for her kind words to me when I needed them Frances was so courageous and always there for her family and friends. I will miss her very much.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella,
Frances has been such a kind and generous neighbour and friend to us in the truest sense of the words for many years. We will miss the conversations, her wisdom, humour and are so appreciative of her many thoughtful acts and offers of support and kindness. Sending you our love and condolences at this sad time.
Vicky, Tino and Izzy
Dear Simon and family. I’m here in my little Swiss village so far away from you all. When we moved to Australia Frances and I became friends soon after our arrival. How lucky I was to have found you. After we moved back to Switzerland we kept in touch. You and Simon came to visit us. What a treat. We had many holidays together. So much laughter, so many good memories that we will cherish for ever. Frances, my dearest friend. I’m here outside sitting on my terrace. It’s nighttime. It’s the heart of Summer. I’m watching the sky thinking of you. The stars are shining. Surely you are one of them now. With all my love. Laure
Sending lots of love to the family at this sad time. As a school friend of Camille’s, I always felt very welcomed into the family home. Frances was always so warm and interested in our lives, just as the rest of the family is too.
Dear Simon Campbell Camille and Ella I met Frances at our children’s playgroup in the early 90’s and l have always believed it was a privilege to be friends with Frances who was always thoughtful caring and kind.
Frances forwarded a beautiful family photo of Laura’s christening.
Heartfelt condolences
Ann Jess and Rion.
Frances was an exemplary person as anyone I’ve ever known. She was a champion for every child who ever needed extra support and care. A phenomenal friend and primarily a devoted mother and partner and animal lover. I’m so very grateful to have shared wonderful memories with my valued friend and teacher who was always so generous and kind to me and many, many others. Frances, I will miss you forever. Love and best wishes to Simon, Campbell, Camille, Ella, Michelle and baby Laura. She lives on in all of you. What a gift to the world she was.
Sharing my deepest condolences on Frances’ passing, and I would like to extend my thoughts to all of Frances’ family and friends. I remember the way Camille, my hard working colleague and thoughtful friend, often spoke lovingly about her family.
Our dear beautiful friend Frances, you were so strong and brave in the face of your challenges, and so selfless throughout and in recent weeks, thinking of others with your love and kindness. You have always been a beautiful kind friend who is very much cherished, loved and will be deeply missed. Our hearts are heavy but our memories will be ever present full of love and happiness. To Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella we send much love always.
Sonya, John, Tom and Hugh
Dear Simon, Camille, Ella and Campbell. My deepest thoughts are with you. I developed a close connection with Frances, I will always remember the support she gave to me when Linda died. I will miss our chats. ‘ As long as you can see the stars, you can never truly be lost’ . Indira Naidoo. The Space Between the Stars.
To Simon and Family, so sorry for your loss.
Frances, I met you as a teenager, and we’ve shared many years of friendship.
We’ve had lots of laughs and created memories that I will always treasure.
You were a dear friend to both Erich and I, someone I always felt I could confide in.
You fought so bravely, never giving up hope, and your strength was an inspiration to me.
You will be deeply missed and have left us far too soon.
Rest in peace, my beautiful friend. 💞🌹
A Lovey Lady will be missed by her family . Our condolences to you all. Keith and Sue Hill 🌹
Dear Simon & Family,what a terrible loss. To lose such a wonderful woman too soon. Frances was always a beautiful presence, captivating personality, engaging storyteller who made everyone feel special.She was always interested in everyone she met.Always with laughter and always with a smile. We met at a lovely Play Group over 30 years ago in East St Kilda. I moved away , but we reconnected over the years and again just recently. Simon and the children were lucky to have such a wonderful wife, loving and practical mother, mentor and friend and will reminisce on those very happy memories.Lindy, Jonathon, James & Emma
What a tragedy to lose our dear, generous-hearted Frances. She was a person of great kindness who deserved many more years with her beloved family. Frances had an inspiring love of nature, the bush and her garden, in fact of all growing things, including a generation of children who she gently inducted into education. Frances told a fabulous story: she observed the world closely and could recount what she saw with insight and humour. I have so many memories of a decades-long friendship: parents association, fetes and art auctions, bookclub evenings and weekends, movie nights, walking the overland track, on holiday in the Alps… Frances will be sorrowfully missed. All my condolences to Simon, Campbell, Camille and Ella.
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille, Ella and family, we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Frances was such a warm, intelligent and caring soul and we feel grateful and privileged to have known her. Sending all of our love. Cam & Maia
Dear Simon and family
I am so sorry to hear of Frances’ passing. She was a wonderful member of our book club and we will miss her so much. She was always so positive, even when facing her challenges, and got the most out of her life.
Sending my love to you all
Liz
Dear Simon, Campbell, Camille, Ella and family.
I feel so grateful to having been a part of your Mum’s life. She was so gracious, intelligent, loyal and fun! A great friend. Lucky to have years of memories. Sending you much love. ❤️
Dear Simon and family – our hearts are breaking for you for your loss. Frances has left all of us a legacy of loyalty and love and we will forever keep this beautiful, irreplaceable woman in our hearts. Our loving thoughts to all of you from Ron and Mariette
To all Frances’s family we send our deepest condolences. She was such a lovely, kind and intelligent person. She was a cherished member of our book club and her insights will be sadly missed. I will also miss our time together driving to and from book club. Taken too soon. Sue and Ed
To all Frances’s family we send our deepest condolences. She was such a lovely, kind and intelligent person. She was a cherished member of our book club and her insights will be sadly missed. I will also miss our time together driving to and from book club. Taken too soon. Sue and Ed
Dear Simon, family and friends,
Frances was a wonderful, intelligent and thoughtful woman, always vibrant and full of life and joy. Our friendship of forty eight years began at teacher’s college in Armidale and has always been there; a reliable constant. Conversation, fun and shared memories are treasured. Frances will be deeply missed and always fondly remembered.
Frances,you are gone too soon. I have fond memories of being mothers of young babies together. Lots of cups of tea , chatting and laughing while our children played. You inspired me be better mum. Being friends with you made motherhood enjoyable, doing life together and being on Toy library committee and then school fund raising. You were a very practical person, nothing seemed to ruffle your feathers and if they did, you didn’t show it. I will never forget you
Dear Simon and family, such a sad time at the loss of such a beautiful strong women, Frances. She was a wonderful member of our bookclub, so enthusiastic, intelligent and fun, Frances will be always missed and loved. Always in our hearts, love Michelle and Graham
Dear family and friends of Frances, my sincere condolences to you all. Frances was a truly special person, so interested in everything, the family, her friends and colleagues and all those little people developed under her expert guidance and support. She loved nature (we talked fungi) and her world. To you all I send love and support. And I will so miss her brightness, intellectual insights and reflections at book club very keenly. What a treasure you were dear Frances.
My condolences to you all. Frances was such a good friend. I will miss our walks and talks. Such a kind and thoughtful friend. She was very brave throughout her illness. But still too soon.
Simon, Campbell, Camille, Ella & the whole family, sending our deepest condolences at this very sad time. We hope to be able to help you celebrate Frances’ life in a really personal way. Kate Morgan & the team at Tomorrow Funerals