Anita L. Dutton, 82, died Sunday, July 7, 2013 with her family at her side at Maine Medical Center, Portland, following a brief illness.

She was born in Milo on September 8, 1930, a daughter of the late Leonard H. and Lillian A. (Whitehouse) Luttrell.

She was a graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn and was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Augusta.

Early in her life she had been employed by the state of Maine as a keypunch operator, where she would later meet her future husband of 51 years. She was a homemaker for most of her life and was an intensely dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.

She loved family and spent all of her available time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In addition to caring for her own family she extended her love of children by opening a daycare center in her own home for 20 years.

Many of the children under her care started with her as infants and stayed with her well into their teens becoming almost like extended members of the family.

She spent many years doing “charity” work from home by hand knitting mittens and hats that she would later donate by the hundreds to disadvantaged children and families. She served on the board of directors for about 15 years for the Augusta Babe Ruth League when it was first formed. She was on the board of directors for the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and Junior Symphony Orchestra.

She loved camping, cooking for her family, baking sweets and savory breads, spending time at the family log cabin on Cobbossee Lake, playing cards and traveling with family.

She was best known for her selfless generosity and her never ending willingness to help other people in need. Her devotion to helping people knew no boundaries. She was loved by all who knew her and will be sadly missed by all that she touched in her lifetime.

She was predeceased by her husband, Linwood Dutton; a son, Scott A. Dutton and three brothers: Leonard, Bruce and James Luttrell.

She is survived by two sons, Steven Dutton and his wife Debra Wyman of East Boothbay and Jason Dutton and his wife Denise of Chelsea; a daughter, Jody Soule and her husband David of Clinton; daughter-in-law, Sybil Dutton of Great Falls Mont.; nine grandchildren, Scott Dutton Jr., Heather Dutton, Kayla Pulst, Sean Dutton, Kimberly Dutton, Jamie Soule, Bradley Soule, Katelyn Dutton and Emily Dutton; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, John Luttrell of Wells; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, July 12 at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial and committal prayers will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Winthrop St., Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Anita’s memory may be made to: Shriner’s Children’s Hospital at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.