Jody Lin Rutherford
September 15, 1956 – September 29, 2019
“Love you more than there are stars in the sky”
September 29, 2019 Jody Lin (McClarty) Rutherford passed away at home in Brooks, Alberta at the age of 63 from Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. Jody left this life the way she lived it; on her own terms, surrounded by loved ones, and with remarkable strength.
Born September 15th, 1956 in Manning, Alberta to Ernie & Hazel McClarty, she was the oldest, their family completed with four rowdy younger brothers: Kelly, Mitch, Brad & Darren. Over the years, they lived in High Level, Manning & Edson. She believed in the importance of family and her life was built on this foundation of love and strength.
Jody met Doug in grade 9, beginning a love story that would span 50 years. They were married on July 31, 1976 starting a life together that found them living in Stony Plain, High Prairie, Manning, Edson & finally settling in Brooks. At each stop, they connected with special people, making lifelong friendships. Jody & Doug welcomed three daughters to complete their family: Tara, Carmen, and Ashley. As the girls married, Adam, Kent & Dale became sons to Jody & Doug, each one having a special relationship & place in Jody’s heart.
Jody’s greatest joy in life was becoming a grandparent. The arrival of their “grandbuddies” Maia, Paxton, Hayden, Grayson, Burke, and Smith allowed a whole new side of our favourite person to shine, and “Gramma Jode” was born.
Family, friends, caring, community, and giving back wherever she could were constant themes throughout Jody’s story, no matter what chapter you were blessed to know her in. Her life was like a favourite story we wished would never end, but we know we’ll pick it up again and again to remember all the best parts. We love you more than there are stars in the sky….
Jody was predeceased by her parents Ernie & Hazel (Lovlin) McClarty, mother & father-in-law Don & Edith Rutherford, & her brother Bradley. She will be lovingly remembered by her family, aunts, uncles, nieces & nephews, and countless friends and colleagues.
A Celebration of Life was held in Brooks, Alberta at the Heritage Inn and Convention Centre on Sunday October 6, 2019 at 1:00 pm. In memory of Jody, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Fund, c/o Canadian Cancer Society, Attn: Laura Reynolds, #200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5.
Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
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