Joanne Marie (Mattison) Sutherland

Joanne Marie Sutherland (née Mattison) left the Earth to be with angels in Heaven on Sunday June 30th, 2019 after severe and sudden complications from a long series of health issues. We hope she will meet her favorite dobies again; Sophie, Ace and Jack, as well as her father John.

She was born March 28th, 1961 in Newton, MA, moved to Phoenix, AZ, met Michael Barney and after a whirlwind romance, had her son Steven on January 20th, 1979. She got her GED the same year. They moved to Glendale, AZ where she worked, attended community college, and studied grooming and business before migrating Northwest and settling in the Seattle area.
Joanne was known to be intelligent and funny, always questioning the status quo and asking why. Her friends found her to be compassionate, generous, and fiercely independent; and she liked to do things her own way. She raised her son as a young single mother and did an amazing job teaching him inner strength and to be kind and brave. She enjoyed cooking and hiking with her dogs. She was dedicated to her pets and throughout her life kept horses, rabbits, cats, fish, birds, dogs, chickens, and a goat. She cared for her dogs as if they were her children. Her love for dogs guided her to a productive career in grooming, eventually starting her own grooming service, Emerald City Mobile Grooming.

She is survived by her son Steven, her sisters Kathleen, Janice, Dona, Chrissy and Lynn, her brothers Ed and John and her mother Josephine. Also her Dobermans; Benson whom she raised from a puppy and Roxine whom she adopted as a friend for Benny. Joanne will be missed very much by her son, dogs, friends, and clients. She is gone too soon.

All friends, family, acquaintances, and clients are welcome to attend a small celebration of life memorial service at the SeaTac Community Center at 13735 24th Ave. S. on Saturday, July 13th at 1:30 p.m.

In honor of Joanne, please wear blue (her favorite color), and casual attire is acceptable. Because of her love for the park and her pets, in lieu of flowers please make donations (any amount appreciated) to Highline Botanical Gardens, or Burien CARES animal shelter.

Please share memories of Joanne on her Tribute Wall, located above.