Elizabeth Dutka

Uncasville — Elizabeth Ann Dutka died peacefully on June 17, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was 88 years old, but throughout her long life she had the curiosity, determination, intelligence and wit of a young woman. Born on Jan. 9, 1929, to Charles Sisson and Mary Agnes Neeson, she was an only child who always planned to have many children of her own. After her marriage in 1949 to Frank Dutka, she did just that, raising a family of five, while at the same time managing a flourishing family business.

A high school graduate of Norwich Free Academy, she later pursued a college education and at the age of 50 received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut. She went on to serve for many years as library director at the Raymond Library in Montville. As a lifelong resident of southeastern Connecticut, she had deep roots in the area, tracing her ancestry back to the earliest settlers of New London and Montville. No doubt, they were indomitable, too.

In addition to her husband, Frank Dutka, she is survived by her son, Stephen Dutka, his wife, Pamela, and their three sons, Benjamin, Andrew and Charles; daughter, Gail Raymond, her husband, Sherwood, and their two children, Elizabeth and Nathaniel; her son, Mark Dutka, daughter-inlaw, Corinne, and their daughter, Nicole; daughter, Joanne Hart and her two sons, Max and Gus; and daughter, Nancy Stone, her husband, Dennis, and their two children, Noah and Lily; and her great-grandson, Frank Raymond.

She loved family, music, travel, chocolate, and a clear blue ocean, and left behind an enduring family legacy of vibrant get-togethers and great food. She had a wonderful life. A memorial celebration in her honor will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, at the Dutka residence, 480 Raymond Hill Road, Uncasville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Glaucoma Research Foundation, www. glaucoma.org.