Kathy Marie Patrick Dutton

Kathy was born on June 1, 1950 to parents Frances and Walter Penn. She was the third of four children, having two older brothers, Frank and Ron, and a younger brother Mike. As the only daughter, she had her dad wrapped around her little finger (at least that’s the way the boys remember it), and she flummoxed them ceaselessly with her uncanny ability to avoid a good shin kick under the table, but they grew up and remained close through life’s blessings and challenges. A cherished memory includes a sibling trip to Ireland in 2019 in celebration of their Irish roots and heritage.

Kathy graduated from Lakewood High School in 1968. She attended Loretta Heights College for one year then transferred up to University of Colorado at Boulder, where she received an undergraduate in elementary education and a Master of Education (M.Ed.). Teaching soon became one of her life’s true passions. She began her career at Stein Elementary, but spent most of her career teaching first and second grade at Devinny Elementary. She taught more than a 1,000 children in a career spanning more than 30 years, dedicating herself to providing a warm and welcoming environment to foster a love of learning early in each child’s life. Often cited as a favorite teacher by former students and loved by her colleagues, Kathy loved teaching so much she continued to substitute teach even after retirement.

During her marriage to college sweetheart Stephen “Skip” Patrick, Kathy experienced the true joy of becoming a mother through adoption, first to Molly in 1986, then to Laura in 1992. Kathy wore the title “Mom” as a badge of honor and threw her heart and soul into being a wonderful mother and, later, grandmother of three. She could often be found sitting on the couch reading a favorite book to her granddaughter Kiptyn, running around her house dressed up as a pirate playing with her grandson Tobin, snuggling with dear baby Finnegan, or playing pretend school with all three in a room of her house she lovingly converted to a children’s library.

In 2002, Kathy met James Dutton while picking up the mail at her mother’s house. Jim, a gregarious and kindhearted postal worker, had just pulled up to the mailbox and sparks flew immediately. Jim and Kathy fell in love and married a year later surrounded by friends and family. They spent their retired years touring around on their BMW motorcycle, traveling around the country on every train possible, and reveling in being grandparents. Kathy also continued her lifelong pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. She loved gathering with the women in her life for a long chat over a cup of tea (black tea only, no herbal!) and even had a parlor in her house dedicated to her collection of beautiful, one-of-a-kind teacups, as well as antique dolls, photos and furniture. Her home at 2703 S Cole Ct was a lifelong dream fulfilled and the center of her life. It’s where her warm, infectious laughter rang out and where she shined as a mother, grandmother, wife, friend and teacher. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.

Kathy is survived by her husband Jim, daughters Molly Murphy (Curt) and Laura Ries (Paul), Jim’s daughter Rebecca Dutton (Gabe Caso), grandchildren Kiptyn, Tobin and Finnegan Murphy, brothers Frank Penn (Roxanne), Ron Penn (Barb), loving nieces and nephews, and many teaching colleagues and dear friends. She is predeceased by her beloved parents, brother Mike, and first husband Skip.

A Celebration of Life tea luncheon will be held from 11 am – 2 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Willow Ridge Manor, 4903 Willow Springs Rd, Morrison, CO 80465, 303-697-6951, www.willowridgemanor.com. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in Kathy’s honor at littlefreelibrary.org/donate or reachoutandreadco.org/donate.