Mary Chrys Dutton

Mary Chrys Dutton, 70, of the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego, passed away on May 2 from complications after surgery. Through her life, she was known as Mary to some and Chrys by many. Chrys was born in Blythe, California, on April 17, 1954, as the fifth child of eight of Edward Jefferson Dutton of Snyder, Texas and Dorthy Virginia Lund of York, Nebraska. Edward and Virgina had met and married during World War II near Los Angeles. Her family tree was filled with stories dating back to 1600s Virginia and 1800s Sweden. After a short time living in Blythe and Brock, Texas, her family settled in the Imperial Valley, living on the edge of the desert near Brawley, then in El Centro from 1966 until Chrys left to further her education. Chrys graduated from Central Union High School in 1972 and Imperial Valley College in 1974 before completing her degree in Psychology at Cal Poly University, Humboldt in Arcata, in 1978. Returning to El Centro after graduation, she entered into a thirty-two-year career in financial aid. After three years at San Diego State, Imperial Valley Campus, and four at UCLA in Los Angeles, she then continued her career with twenty-five years at San Diego State, retiring as the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships in 2011. She maintained close friendships with many coworkers long after her departure. Chrys lived in her Normal Heights home from 1987 through her passing, first, with her mother, Virginia, and later, with her sister Myla and brother Gregory. And of course, a series of most often delightful cats. She most enjoyed spending time with her cats and her extended family that included siblings and a great number of nieces and nephews. She spent many years deeply involved in their lives, through sleepovers, sporting events, trips to the zoo, and anything else she could dream up to entertain and educate. Among many other interests, she loved music and movies, and was a dedicated and inquisitive reader. She is survived by brothers Walter of Escondido Ca, Grady of Mammoth Lakes, Lawrence of Aguanga Ca. and Gregory of San Diego, and by her sister Myla. She was preceded in death by her parents, a half sister, and two older brothers, Edward of Yuma, Arizona, and Jeffrey of Huntsville, Alabama. A Memorial Service will take place in San Diego, at Crown Point Shores on July 29th at 5 pm.. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to can contribute to Chrys’ memory may due so by donating to The American Red Cross, a cause she supported her entire life