Margaret Dutton

Dutton, Margaret After 96 beautiful years of life, Margaret Jean Dutton, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on January 5, 2021. Margaret was born on September 24,1924 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the youngest daughter of Irene and George Nash, the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan a few years later. They faithfully attended and became active members of the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo. She was the third generation in her family to attend First Baptist. She met her husband Paul "Bill" Dutton at the church and they also attended the same high school. Their families were close friends and Margaret and Bill enjoyed many activities, such as church camp together. After high school she attended Parsons Business School and then worked for and Insurance Agency for several years. After the war Margaret and Bill were married and together they raised three daughters, Lynette " Lynn" DeMink, Jeanette "Jean" Finlay and Kathryn "Kathy" Brown. Margaret continued to work and raise her children. Margaret and Bill enjoyed traveling and took their family on many trips. The highlight being a month long trip traveling through many western states and also visiting several family and friends. Some of her favorite things were music, she was in both school and church choirs, she loved to dance, camping was a favorite, as well as canoeing. A tradition in the family was her Christmas cookie baking and decorating parties. She and Bill were part of a Canasta Club group and they both enjoyed gardening.The family later made a change in churches to Grace Baptist Church in Portage, Michigan where she was very active and made many wonderful friends. Four years later the love of her life, Bill passed away in 1974.Then in 1975 Margaret became the Bookkeeper at the opening of the Friendship Village. She first worked for Bob Laird the 1st Administrator and later for Larry Moon, the 2cnd Administrator of the Village. She worked there until her retirement.In 1975 her son-in -law, Ben, built a cottage for her and the family on their property Up North at Blue Lake, where they used to camp as a family. There she enjoyed many years of vacationing with family and was also very generous in sharing her cottage with others, especially extended family and close friends. She and the family also enjoyed attending the Cornerstone Community Bible Church, and the friendship of Pastor Rich and his wife, Brenda and many other special friends there, just a short drive from the cottage. Margaret was also a great prayer warrior and supported several Missionaries. You could always find their pictures on her refrigerator. When Grace Baptist Church closed, Margaret chose a church close to her home, Oakwood Bible Church, which she attended and loved, until she was physically unable to attend.In her widowed years, she did a lot of traveling with her sisters, as well as many friends. Some of her travel took her to Florida, to her daughter and son-in-law's home, Western States, Canada (Lake Banff), England and Scotland. She dearly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was supportive of all their activities, she enjoyed her time with them. They were all the "light" of her life!Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years Bill, her parents, her sisters, Athaline Death and Irene "Betty" King and brothers-in-law, John Death and Robert O. King, nephew, Robert L. King, also her very special cousin, Helen Lantz, who was like a sister, and also a special Uncle, Leonard Roelof and many close friends.She is survived by her three daughters, Lynette (Ben) Demink of Plainwell, Jeanette (John) Finlay of Mattawan, and Kathryn (Earl) Brown of Holiday FL. Grandchildren; Paul and Ryan DeMink, Jeff (Val) Finlay, Jena ( Mitch) Nycum and Jennifer (Tim) Harris. Great Grandchildren; Morgan Meyer, Logen DeMink, Zachary and Andrew Finlay, Jonas and Gavyn Nycum, and Leanna and Micah Harris. Also many very special nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friend Carol Summerfield. Private Services are being held for Margaret, she will be laid to rest beside her beloved Paul at Mt. Home Cemetery. The family is planning a Memorial Service later Spring or Summer. Memorial contributions in memory of Margaret may be made to Cornerstone Community Bible Church, 6821 County Rd 612 N.E. Kalkaska, Michigan 49646. To view Margaret's personal webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com