Karen J. Dutton

December 12, 2012       

ADAMS, N.Y.  —  Karen J. Dutton, 73, of East Church Street, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 12, peacefully at her home under the care of her loving family and Hospice of Jefferson County. 

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Saint Cecilia’s Church, Adams, with Rev. Patrick Ratigan officiating. Burial will follow in the Rural Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Piddock Funeral Home, Adams.

Born Jan. 25, 1939, at the family home in Attica, N.Y., daughter of J. Leonard and Hellen Kollwitz Murphy, she graduated in 1956 from Attica Central High School and in 1958 from Alfred State Tech with a degree in accounting. 

Mrs. Dutton worked for Niagara Mohawk in Attica before marrying the love of her life Eric J. Dutton on April 4, 1959, at Saint Vincent Depaul Church in Attica. Following their marriage the couple lived in Potsdam and Norfolk before moving to Adams in 1962. 

While raising their three children, she managed the former Pine Cleaners before working for Dobbins Auto Parts in Adams. She then went on to manage the Advantage Auto Parts store in Watertown Center where she retired.

Karen has always been an avid sports competitor. She started golf as a young teenager and at age 16 won the Attica Golf Club’s Ladies Championship. Numerous times she was the Women’s Club Champion at the former Tomacy’s Golf Course and later the Adams Country Club, and a six time winner of the N.Y. State Cheese Manufacturer’s Association Ladies Golf Tournament. For many years she was an avid bowler at the South Jeff Lanes during which time she bowled in numerous tournaments. 

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cross stitching, knitting and was an accomplished quilter.

She was a communicant of Saint Cecilia’s Church, former Girl Scout Leader and a member of the Adams County Club. Throughout the years she was secretary of many golf and bowling leagues.

In 2010, Karen was awarded by the South Jefferson Lions Club the Robert Uplinger Award for Community Service.

Surviving besides her husband, Eric J., Adams, are their three children, Katharine Dutton, Oswego, Richard and wife, Marcia, Limerick, and Christopher, Auburn; six grandchildren, a sister, Connie (Robert) Petts, Roanoke, Ind.; a brother Paul Murphy, Newark, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and a sister- in- law, Nancy Murphy, who died July 5, 2012.

Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601,the South Jefferson Rescue Squad, PO Box 126, Adams, NY 12605 or the South Jefferson Lions Club @ S. Sayyeau, 269 Seymour St., Watertown NY 13601.




Information provided by Piddock Funeral Home, Adams, and Newzjunky.com, Watertown.