Betty Dutton Obituary

Betty Dutton

Former Lawrence Resident Betty Dutton died at her home on Wednesday December 9, 2015 surrounded by family in Estes Park, CO. She was 89 years old. Betty Jane Pierce was born December 13, 1925 in Oakland, CA. Her adoptive parents were Frederick and Clara (Ellis) Pierce. Betty grew up in California, moved to New Jersey in the 1950s, then to Detroit, Berkley, and Fresno before settling in Lawrence, KS for 30 years. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching from the University of CA at Berkley and a Master's Degree from Columbia University in New York. On January 27, 1950 Betty married Edward P. Dutton in Berkley, CA. Betty started her career as a counselor in public education and dedicated her professional time to teaching those who could benefit from her gifts, including pregnant Hispanic girls in the San Joaquin Valley who had been banned from public education. She became involved in alternative education, which became the foundation for what is known today as charter schools. She was always involved in the art community where she lived. In Lawrence, Betty started the Art Center and Art Co-op and was a member of the Older Women's League. Betty and her husband helped start L.I.N.K. (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen). She was also President of the Women's International Movement for Peace and Freedom. In Estes Betty was a member of the League of Women Voters Board of Directors and taught art classes at the Estes Park Senior Center. Betty's hobbies included watercolor painting and print making. Betty is survived by her son Mark Dutton of Olympia, WA, daughter Katy Hochstetler and her husband Tom of Estes Park, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Edward who died December 20, 2002. Memorials in Betty's name can be made to Crossroads Ministry, Salud Clinic or Hospice of the Estes Valley in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517. See www.allnutt.com to send a message to Betty's family.

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