Marita Ruth Dutton

Obituary Marita Ruth (LaBansky) Dutton Marita Ruth Dutton, born September 17, 1931, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, January 9, 2013. She had two older brothers and grew up in Sparta, Wisconsin, where she met her high school sweetheart, George. In 1949, Marita and George relocated to Oakridge, Oregon, where they married and where their three daughters would be born. Here, Marita worked as a rural postal carrier until the family moved to Tacoma, Washington, where she gave birth to her only son. Marita was a cook for the Tacoma School District for many years until she retired in 1996. Her passions included family, friends, cooking, gardening and chocolate! She loved to laugh and could find humor in even the most unlikely circumstances. She never knew a stranger and genuinely cared about people. An active parishioner at St. Leo Catholic Church, Marita enjoyed making sandwiches to help feed the local homeless through the Food Connection. She loved nothing more than being at the center of activity - usually in the kitchen - surrounded by her family and friends. Marita is survived by her four children, Kathleen (Michael) Parr, Georgiann (Kenneth) DeKay, Jean (Sean) Bui, and John (Janille) Dutton, 9 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, two brothers, and husband. A vigil will be held Thurs., Jan. 17, 2013, 7 PM, at Gaffney Funeral Home, 1002 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma, WA. Funeral service will be Fri., Jan. 18, 12 noon, at St. Leo Catholic Church Tacoma, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Leo Food Connection, 710 South 13th St., Tacoma, WA 98405.