Dec. 2, 1928 – Nov. 20, 2023

Warrienne Delmar Dutton (Jay) passed away on Nov. 20 in Glendale after her fight with degenerative heart failure. Jay passed away just days before her 95^th birthday.

Jay was born in Santa Barbara on Dec. 2, 1928 and grew up in Santa Barbara and spent most of her life in her native state.

When she was 16 and working in a soda shop in downtown Santa Barbara in 1945, she met and fell in love with a young Coast Guardsman visiting from Philadelphia. His name was George Leonard Dutton. Evidently she broke a soda glass in the sink and attempted to fish out the sharp shards from the sudsy dishwater when George drained the water first. Their romance continued because George would hitchhike on the weekends from San Diego to Santa Barbara. This all happened, of course, during World War II. They married on June 17, 1948 in Santa Barbara.

Jay and George would both continue to work while studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They both graduated and had their first son, Tom, during the Korean War. Dave and Paul would soon come later –about three years apart – while in Canoga Park.

Jay kept busy raising three boys while George continued in the Army Reserve leaving Jay at home to raise three boys for many weekends out of the year … for 25 years!

Jay felt a pedagogical tug and returned to school to get her teaching credential. Jay eventually became a successful grade school teacher teaching for 36 years at Apperson Street Elementary School. Later, she used her experience and knowledge to help guide and mentor the next generation of educators at the school. Jay received extensive awards from her peers for her innovation in teaching at Apperson Street Elementary School.

When they moved to Shadow Hills, Jay and George became very active at The Tujunga United Methodist Church. She joined the United Methodist Women’s Club (UMWC) and continued to support and lead as the director of the UMWC for years helping the church in every event possible. She also spent years quilting and making things for the annual Church Christmas Celebration. Jay would continue to volunteer for years at the Church’s Bailey Center.

Later, Jay and George would become very active in their square dancing group The Apaches. They would dance almost every weekend and enjoy going on trips and RVing together!

After retirement they would travel extensively on The American Queen river trips, take Canada Railway trips and cruises to the Mediterranean and Alaska! They even toured Europe – twice!

Jay was blessed with five grandkids. Nathan and Nolan, Kate and Logan and Jennifer were all the absolute joys of her life. Jay would spend all of her spare time visiting and spoiling her grandkids!  

Jay was preceded in death by her husband George and son Tom. She is survived by Janis (Tom’s wife); two sons: David (Mary) and Paul (Lisa); grandchildren Nathan (Jennie), Nolan (Laura), Kate, Logan, Jennifer; and great grandchild Lauren.

Services in care of Crippen Mortuary in La Crescenta.