Obituary for Joanne F. Dutra (Flynn) Joanne Frances (Flynn) Dutra (Jody), of Kittery, Maine. Joanne was Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on February 2nd, 1928 and grew up in Gardiner, Massachusetts. She died September 19th, 2018 in Kittery Maine.
She was the wife of the late Joseph F. Dutra. Joanne was the daughter of Margaret Brazell and Thomas P. Flynn, sister of the late Peggy Lavigne and the late Thomas P. Flynn. She is survived by her three daughters and one son: Karen Davis of Lexington, Massachusetts, Ellen Houghton (and husband Jon) of Stratham New Hampshire, Jeff Dutra (and wife April) of Southwest Harbor, Maine, and Joan Keefe (and husband Scott) of Bridgeton, Maine.
Mrs. Dutra is also survived by four grandchildren: Kelly Megquier (and husband Jacob) of Arundel, Maine, Michael Dutra of Southwest Harbor, Maine, Lauren Houghton of Dover, New Hampshire, Christopher Dutra of Sanford, Maine, 2 step-grandchildren: Steven Houghton of South Berwick, Maine, and Tricia Houghton-Glenn of La Mesa, California, 9 great-grandchildren: Karmelo, Kahmal, and Kyriie Dutra, Max and Duncan Megquier, Anna and Libby Houghton, Ryan and Andrew Glenn, and 8 nieces and nephews. Joanne attended Gardiner High School and loved her home town. In 1950; she graduated Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now a part of Boston College) with a BA in the Social Sciences.
She married her husband Joe in 1955 in Massachusetts, and went on to work for the Girl Scouts of America in greater Boston. Mrs. Dutra was extremely proud of her work with the Girl Scouts, often sharing stories of her experiences with her family. Later on, she worked as Director of the Council on Aging in Hopedale, Massachusetts.
Joanne retired with Joe to Kennebunk, Maine, where she worked for the Chamber of Commerce until she was 75 years old. Joanne was a loving wife and caring mother. She loved her grandchildren, especially when they were all running around under the same roof.
She was always kind and smiling. She would ask “how are you? ” or “what’s new?
” and was a great listener. Joanne loved music and would often break out in song, regardless of where she was. Joanne was self-taught on the piano could fill a room with song or music.
She was a devout Catholic, and member of St Martha’s of Kennebunk, Maine. She would often visit the Monastery of Kennebunk, where she found peace and solitude in prayer. Joanne loved long drives along the ocean, sometimes bringing along a book and coffee, where she would sit for hours as friends and neighbors would pass by and visit.
She particularly loved Nubble Light in York, ME. She was joyously proud of her Irish heritage. She was a strong example for her children and grandchildren, a humble and hard-working member of her community, as well as a devout and passionate member of her church.
Mrs. Dutra taught us all to give others the benefit of the doubt and live life without judgement; seeking to help rather than criticize. She was always putting others before herself. She lived with grace and poise, and taught others to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings.
She will be deeply missed by all family and friends. Visiting hours will be held at on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 1 – 3 PM at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, Wells, ME 04090. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 11 AM at St. Martha’s Church in Kennebunk.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made in her name to: Durgin Pines, Activity Fund, 9 Lewis Road, Kittery, ME 03904 or St. Martha’s Church, 30 Portland Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043. To send flowers to the family of Joanne F. Dutra (Flynn), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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