The daughter of schoolteacher Charles Goffet (1909–1991), who taught French at Newcastle Boys High School from 1942 to 1978, her sister is former NSW Federal Labor politician and Minister, Jeannette McHugh.
[7] She taught French, German and English at Raymond Terrace High School and Newcastle Girls'.
[11] As Deputy Shire President, Sutton unveiled the central fountain sculpture in Warringah Mall, entitled "Pacific Family" by Victor Cusack, on 23 November 1988 to commemorate the Australian Bicentenary.
[13][14] She became involved in Council Committees, supporting the Forest Community Association, whose work resulted in the establishment in 1985 of the Forest Community Centre/Glen Street Theatre, now one of Sydney's leading artistic venues, and the creation of Garigal National Park, the result of very long negotiations with Dainford Ltd, the then State Government and Warringah Council and Narrabeen Lagoon Committee.
[15] She could not, however, match this success at the state level and failed to gain election as the ALP candidate to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Davidson against Terry Metherell in 1981,[16] and 1984.
[22] Premier Nick Greiner himself, who later resigned over the 'Metherell Affair', attempted to label Sutton a "Labor stooge" and a "Terry Metherell in skirts", in reference to her former membership of the ALP.
Sutton nevertheless stood against fellow councillor and Liberal candidate Andrew Humpherson, taking second place and forcing Humpherson to rely on preferences to be elected in a traditionally very safe seat, with Sutton gaining 29.5 percent of the primary vote and 40.3 percent of the two party preferred vote.
[15] As mayor she assisted in the establishment of the Austlink Business Park between Forest Way and Mona Vale Road in Belrose, providing hundreds of jobs in Warringah.
On her election, the mayor, Michael Regan, congratulated Sutton "who has served the community of Warringah with loyalty and passion for more than 30 years".