Cheryl Anne Dutton

Cheryl Anne Dutton, 74, of Irvine, California, has died after a courageous, nine year battle with cancer. March 9, 2026, Cheryl's last gasp on earth was her first breath of Heaven with her beloved Ron by her side; fitting, as after close to 14 years together, they were rarely apart.

Cheryl was born in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California to Yvonne and William (Bill) Dutton on September 27, 1951, just eleven short months after her parents married in 1950. Cheryl was the first in a long line of progeny, eventually becoming the oldest of eight Dutton children; five girls and three boys.

The family resided in Whittier,California where the first three children attended St. Gregory the Great Catholic School. In 1959, the family moved to East Whittier where they belonged to St. Bruno's Catholic Parish & School. At their modest home on Midcrest Drive, built by their father, the children grew into adulthood with Cheryl leading the pack; always the little mother to her seven younger siblings.

Cheryl graduated eighth grade from St. Gregory's and attended Monte Vista High School graduating with the Class of 1969. Cheryl cheered on the Mustangs and supported her school by performing as a baton twirling majorette and as part of the drill team. Her family enjoyed watching her on the football game sidelines, during halftime shows and local parades accompanying the marching band in her sequins and Mustang blues.

Following high school, wanting to explore life beyond Whittier, Cheryl traveled to
Pennsylvania for a summer with the Mennonites. Having spread her wings for a time, Cheryl returned to the family home ready for a new challenge. In 1972, she joined her sister Ave' in attending nursing school at Rio Hondo College. Cheryl achieved her LVN and RN nursing licenses and, while working as a nurse, went on to add a Bachelor of Science from The University at Albany, NY 1990 and a Master of Science from The University of La Verne, 1992. Also in 1992, Cheryl purchased a home in Irvine, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Cheryl's rational, calm demeanor served her well in the particularly notable position she held for 10 years; emergency room triage nurse. Cheryl covered the graveyard shift at UCI Trauma Center, infamously known as the "Knife and Gun Club". Done with the chaos of trauma medicine, Cheryl settled into work in Gastroenterology; first as a nurse then as a researcher. During the last decade of her nursing career, she worked in case management at various hospitals across Southern California. She continued to work in the profession she loved until her early seventies.

Cheryl adored the large Dutton family gatherings and being surrounded by her siblings, their spouses, their children and grandchildren. Cheryl's nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews provided her with heartwarming joy; lots of celebrations, revelry and gift giving opportunities over the many years.

In 2012 Cheryl met Ron Smith. After their first date on June 9, 2012, Cheryl and Ron went on to build a close relationship and a deep, abiding love for each other. They enjoyed fine dining, walks around North Lake in Woodbridge, strolls along the cliffs of Laguna Beach and the Corona del Mar coastline at sunset, picnics at the park and intimate meals at home. Ron was with Cheryl for every step of her cancer journey sharing lots of long, raucous laughs along the way.

Cheryl is survived by the love of her life, Ron Smith, as well as her seven siblings: Ave' (& Gene Micco), Donna (& James Macchi), Thom Dutton (& Cindy), Claudia (& Hans Hiatt), Bill Dutton (& Nicole), Bob Dutton, Thorn Coyle (& Robert Russell); and 10 nieces and nephews: Leah Micco Fritsch (& Mike Fritsch), Hamilton Hiatt (& Chris), Hayden Hiatt (& Lyndsey) Dominic Micco (& Carolyn), Hogan Hiatt, Caroline Hiatt, Mitchell Dutton (& Kendal), Mackenzie Dutton, Liam Dutton, Marli Dutton and 10 grandnieces and grandnephews: Clara, Colette, Hayes and Hal Hiatt, Vaughn and Florence Fritsch; Giovanni, Francisco and Rafael Micco and Harrison Hiatt.

Cheryl's life and memory will be celebrated at a private luncheon in Newport Beach.
She left an indelible mark on each of our lives and will be forever in our hearts.