Wilma Jean Sutton

Jean Sutton passed away peacefully at her home in Kaneohe on June 4 th ,2023. Jean was born to Esther (Helton) Rector and Earl M Rector on May 20th, 1927 in Craig County Oklahoma. Esther and Earl were both teachers. She was the first of three daughters. Wilma “Jean”, Mary Lou, and Shirley Ann. In her early years she was nurtured by her maternal grandparents Ida and Isaac Helton whom she always shared happy memories of.The Helton’s and Jean’s mother arrived in Oklahoma by covered wagon. The family lived in Vinita and Ketchum on Grand Lake, where Jean Rector met her husband to be, Charles “Ty” Sutton. Both the Rector and Sutton families moved to Stillwater in 1945 to attend College. Earl gave up teaching and opened the famous “Aggie Barbeque." There Jean and Ty, Mary Lou, Shirley and Ty’s siblings obtained four year degrees from Oklahoma A & M College (Oklahoma State), Ty in Architecture, and Jean in Home Economics. They then Married in Stillwater’s 1st Baptist Church on December 18th, 1949, and shortly thereafter moved to Michigan where Ty obtained his masters at Cranbrook Academy of Art and Jean worked in a nearby school and daycare. After moving to Manhattan, the two country sweethearts got a surprise, and were awarded two years of scholarship travel in Europe. The Warren Fellowship Prize. They traveled the world together and lived among other places, in Rome and Paris. They returned to live and work in New York City where Ty practiced architecture with the prestigious Architectural firms of IM Pei and John Carl Warnke. There they had their first Son John Isaac Sutton. They lived in Manhattans’ upper East Side. Jean often said the years in New York in the 1950’s were some of her happiest days. The work in New York led to assignments in Hawaii, for the East West Center at University of Hawaii in 1958 and for the new Hawaii State Capitol. They moved to Hawaii in 1962, where they had their second Son Adam Franklin Sutton. Beach days and Sailing became a part of their life. In 1972 they purchased a sailboat, and became members of the Waikiki Yacht Club. Jean always by his side, Ty served as Commodore, where they enjoyed sailing, “messing about in boats," raising a family, and making many lasting friendships.

They lived in Kahala until they built a home in Pacific Heights where they lived for thirty years, then moved to Kaneohe in 2003. They were very active in community and industry and were members of the Pacific Community Church (Christian Reformed Church) where many more friendships were formed. Jean had several careers including Teaching, Yoga Instructor, being the architectural firms bookkeeper, and retail. Jean spent most of her time raising a family and being a wonderful caring and kind, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Grandmother, Great grandmother, and Friend. She is missed, but now, “Ty and Jean” are together again.

Surviving Family includes her Sister Mary Lou Sare, Stillwater OK; her Sons John Sutton and Adam Sutton, Daughter-in-Law Mandy Sutton, Grandchildren Nicholas Sutton, Kathleen (Snow) Sutton, Denver Colorado, Jessica (Sutton) Stallman, Eric Stallman, Zachary Sutton, Micha (Macavanagh) Sutton , Jamie (Sutton) Mehringer, Gentry Mehringer, Great Grandchildren Gavin Isaac Sutton, Denver CO, Quinn Sutton, Tristan “Ty” Stallman, Beau Alexander Mehringer, all of Kaneohe Hawaii. Sister-in-Law Joyce (Sutton) Veith, and Patricia Sutton of Oklahoma, many Rector Family cousins, Nieces and Nephews, Vickie (Sare) and Husband Gene, the Steincamp Family, Dawn, Marsha, Jeannie and Janie, of Oklahoma, and Washington.

She was pre-deceased by her Husband Charles “Ty” Sutton, Sister Shirley Steincamp, and Daughter in Laws Kelly (Paulson) Sutton, Leilani (Ashlock) Sutton.

The Sutton Family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and care givers of Saint Francis Hospice, Wilson Home Care, Life-long friends of Wailani Road and Pacific Community Church, Sandra Toorinjian, and the many care givers and friends of Jean, for all the years of love, and support, camaraderie, fond memories, and Blessings.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours” -Henry David Thoreau

“Love and Aloha to you all forever and Always- Jean”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Sutton family.