Minnie Dutton 4.28.1910 - 8.8.2006

My great-aunt passed away this afternoon. She was 96+ and lived a very full and happy life. Up until November of 2005 she was the specimen of perfect health. Aside from dentures and some hearing and vision loss that are expected of someone that age, she was probably healthier in mind and body than many people much younger than her. Last fall she had a heart attack and started the downhill battle. All the time she was in good spirits. Having lived alone for several years up until that point, the hospitals, doctors and nurses were an adjustment for her. She was on their schedule, not hers. She never missed a beat though. She knew where she was, made friends with the medical staff and kept a positive attitude; just as she led her life.

A child of French immigrants, she never knew a stranger. She married Willard many years ago. That lasted for a while but they went their separate ways. Then along came Tom. They married and were together until his death. Let’s try Willard again. They were married a second time until his death. She lived in Riverside and Pasadena, California. She later moved up to Big Bear Lake in the California Mountains. She worked retail for years and loved meeting people from all walks of life. She returned to the Kansas City area several years ago.

Aunt Min had a passion for life. She worked hard and saved her money. However, she knew that you had to get out there and enjoy living. You couldn’t just sit inside and do nothing. While she still drove, she had a yellow ’66 Mustang with all of the whistles and bells. She vacationed at the beach and partied in Vegas during its golden years. Up until her passing she had an aversion to red wine as a result of a rowdy Vegas weekend in the 50s. She was never a heavy drinker but she loved her beer. Bud Light was her brew of choice, though Miller Lite would do in a pinch.

Never having any children of her own, she always took interest in family and friends. You were always greeted with a big smile and open heart. Her interest was genuine and she remembered everything and you. Meet her once; you have a friend for life! She had stuffed animals from numerous people who she touched over the years. She would name each animal and tie it back to a specific person or memory. As she fell ill, she donated her collection of animals to Children’s Mercy Hospital. She said that they held so many happy memories that she wanted to share them with the sick kids so they could be happy too.

After initial treatment for her heart attack she was not able to return to her home and normal life. She was moved to a skilled care facility for a period, then eventually an assisted living facility where she had a small apartment. Once again, she was the hit of the facility. Staff loved her and elderly men in powered wheelchairs hit on her. Even the in-house dog would run up to her for a petting when he saw her.

She worsened. She was moved to the cardiac facility of KU Medical Center until they felt they could do no more for her. Leaving her new friends at KU Med, she was moved to Kansas City Hospice. We all knew this would be her last home. She knew it too. The center was great. The care exceptional. And in keeping with her ways, she was the talk of the center. The staff took to her like she was family. Despite the bad times she was having more frequently, she kept a positive spirit. She shared stories with the nurses. She had a beer.

Over the last weekend Aunt Min had two strokes and began to slow even more. It was laborious for her to speak, if she even could at all. She was so very weak. This afternoon two nurses came in for a routine check. She was resting in her bed while they ran her vitals. One turned to adjust the window blinds and when she turned back to the bed, Aunt Min was finally at rest. She left us just as she lived her life – peacefully.

We will miss you.

Minnie Dutton - Taken on her 96th birthday, April 2006