Dorothy Dutton

Dorothy M. Dutton, 83, a longtime Libby businesswoman, died Monday, June 1, 2015, at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.  A resident of the Kootenai Valley for most of her life, Dorothy was born in Libby on February 19, 1932, to Gino and Beulah (Lampton) Benedetti; she was raised and educated here and graduated from Libby High School in 1950.

She married Merritt Dutton July 15, 1956, at Libby.  They moved to Albuquerque, N.M., for a period of time before returning to Libby in 1958.  She worked at Fennessy’s Law Firm before purchasing ownership interest in South Libby Market in 1962 with her husband.  They owned and operated Merritt’s Value Wise Foods for many years until retiring in 1989. They moved the business up one block to a new location where it remained until their retirement.  A longtime member of the United Methodist Church, she volunteered in several capacities and enjoyed working with the group in basic needs.

In retirement they moved to their home on Bull Lake where the peace and serenity allowed her to pursue her enjoyment of reading, puzzles and many crafts, especially quilting.  She always enjoyed the kids’ and grandchildren’s visits summer or winter; there was always something for them to do.

She is preceded in death by her husband Merritt, a brother Robert and her parents.  

Survivors include her children, Paul and wife Julie of San Clemente, Calif.; Pam Tharp and husband Gene of Rock Springs, Wyo., and Larry of Libby; a sister, Kay Morrill of San Clemente, Calif.; her grandchildren, Mike, Nicholas, Andrew, Christian and Delaney and great-granddaughters Tegan and Sydnie.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2015, at the United Methodist Church in Libby with Rev. Brent Wepprecht officiating; interment services followed at the City of Libby Cemetery.  Friends called at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home Sunday, June 7.  Memorials may be made to Bull Lake Rural Fire District, P.O. Box 1032, Troy, MT 59935 or Libby Volunteer Fire Dept., 119 East 6th Street, Libby, MT 59932 or Wings, P.O. Box 1550, Libby, MT 59923. Online condolences or memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.