Obituary of Jane Margaret Coull

June 20, 1948 - Edmonton, Alberta

April 21, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Jane Margaret Coull passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

She was preceded by her parents and her brother William. Jane is survived by her husband of 34 years, John Sutherland, her two stepsons, James (Julia) and Richard (Dawn); and by three grandchildren, Joel (Eleanor), Aphra (Zach), and William.

Jane studied at the University of Alberta where she earned degrees in Classics and Law. After moving to Calgary in 1974, she held a number of corporate posts, becoming Assistant Corporate Secretary of Shell Canada, a position she held until her retirement in 2004.

Although Jane was never a person to seek the limelight, in fact, she was a trailblazer, becoming the first female lawyer to attend the Petroleum Law Society’s annual meeting in Banff. She did this, not to prove a point, but simply because she was qualified to attend. Jane was a diligent and competent lawyer, whose commitment was always to her corporate clients, whose respect she always earned.

Jane met her husband in 1986 and they married in 1988. In 1990, they bought a run-down house in Britannia and spent the next fifteen years together renovating their home and garden. Incidentally, it was during this period that Jane finally parted with her beloved IROC.

They spent 34 years happily together, sharing many common interests. In 2005 they moved to Victoria, where they added new friends and found a spiritual home at St. Barnabas Anglican Church.

Unfortunately, in 2017, Jane began to exhibit the first signs of Alzheimer’s, and eventually, they decided to move back to Calgary to be close to family and old friends. Throughout this whole period, Jane handled herself with grace and dignity. She never complained and was always ready with a smile.

While she will be sorely missed, we are glad that she will finally be at peace.

A Private Funeral Service will be held in the coming days, but there will be a Memorial Evensong at The Anglican Parish of Christ Church Calgary (3602 – 8th Street SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate her life. Reception to follow in the Crump Room at the Church.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jane’s family here.

In living memory of Jane Coull, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.