Josephine ""Jo"" Dutton

Josephine ""Jo"" Dutton
August 31, 1923 - August 1, 2019

Josephine Dutton, avid local volunteer, passed away Thursday the first of August at the age of 95, 30 days shy of her 96^th birthday, in the comfort of her home; she built with her husband in ‘65. Josephine lived a life filled with poise, faith, kindness, openness, and a strong will.

Jo grew up in North Denver in a large traditional Italian family as an only child. She spent her younger years playing outdoors with her cousins and helping her family and single mother. She graduated from North High School, class of ‘41, where Josephine met and went on to marry her high school sweetheart, Dewey Dutton, and they were blessed with 72 years of union together, three beautiful children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After high school, Jo went on to work as a top stenographer for the government, but quickly found her true passion was helping others. She left her career and became a stay at home wife and mom while devoting her free time to volunteering in the community. Jo worked with the Volunteers of America (founding member of VOA Guild), 30 years of service with St. Joseph's Hospital, Mount St. Vincent, Mother Cabrini Shrine, Colorado Ballet, Denver Ballet Guild, Il Circolo Italiano, American Heart Association (Hearts for Life and Heart Mother of the Year 1990), and Samaritan House, Children's Diabetes Foundation, AWARE, American Red Cross, Colorado Restaurant Association and Mount Vernon Country Club. to name a few. She was initiated as a Denver Alumnae member of Alpha Phi sorority, enjoyed attending Denver Area Panhellenic events, and was listed in the Denver Social Register and Record. She inherited heart issues and was the first to have open heart surgery in Colorado in 1971. It was her 1923 heart that stopped working as she was otherwise in remarkable health for her 95 years and, feisty as ever.

She and her husband also went on to own and operate several restaurants in the Denver Metro area; Tops Coffee Shop, Port ‘O Entrée, Bashful Bull, and the Gemini.

Jo greatly loved traveling the world, gardening in her courtyard, playing and watching tennis and basketball, hosting parties and cooking Italian favorites for family and friends. Jo was a true social butterfly. She never missed an opportunity to join or RSVP to a social event and was always willing to get out and meet new people and try new things. Jo made friends everywhere she went, as her outgoing and confident personality provided instant comfort and connection with people.

Jo, never one to take anything for granted, but as a blessing, strived to give back in any capacity possible. She played an active role in the community and the church throughout her life. Grateful for the sincere and genuine friends that she encountered and surrounded her throughout the years. Her love for her family was unmeasurable. Josephine's passion to keep learning and experiencing life to the fullest was inspired by her loving family, as she knew she always had her family by her side to support and uplift her. She is at peace with her soul mate of 72 years of marriage, Dewey Dutton. She called him""Dee.""His nickname for her was""JoJo Baby.""

Josephine Dutton is survived by daughters Andrea ""Sissy, Sis"" (Daniel) Frieson, Deborah ""Twinkle, Twink"" (Sadeg) Shita; grandchildren Dina (Steve), Dia, Damon (Kelly), Tiffany, Leila (Adam), Sophia, great grandchildren Raquel, Sophia, Talia, Nicholas, Cody, Elizabeth, Alina, Zakary. Preceded in death by husband Dewey Dutton Jr.; son Dana Dutton (surviving wife Rikki). Visitation 8/14/19, 2-8pm, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Funeral Mass 8/15/2019, 11:00 AM. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 3549 Navajo St., Denver, CO 80211. Memorial donations in memory of Jo Dutton to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and/or Volunteers of America:

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Please make checks payable to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. 3549 Navajo St., Denver, CO 80211 or call 303-455-04447 EXT 10.

Volunteers of America. Please make checks payable to Volunteers of America. 2660 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205 or call 720-264-3322. Online https://www.voacolorado.org/donate-tribute-memorial

Please share your memories of Jo and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.

Visitation: August 14, 2019 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Funeral Mass: August 15, 2019 11:00 am

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
3549 Navajo St.
Denver, CO

Graveside Service: August 15, 2019 2:00 pm

Mount Olivet Cemetery
12801 W. 44th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033