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BORN
1936
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Karen Dutton Obituary
After battling with cancer, Karen Dutton passed away peacefully with her loving husband George by her side at their home in Healdsburg. Karen graduated from Healdsburg High in 1954 and raised six children. She utilized her amazing organizational skills to become a legal secretary and spent seven years of her career as the executive legal secretary to the Sonoma County District Attorney, Gene Tunney.
Karen developed a great love of music at an early age and was a very talented pianist, playing at many events for her children’s schools and fraternal organizations. Karen was a longtime supporting member of the Santa Rosa Symphony. She also harbored a great love of animals and was instrumental in the development and construction of the new animal care facility as a Healdsburg Animal Shelter board member.
Karen met her husband, George Dutton, through mutual friends and shared a rich married life for 38 years. George described Karen as loving, committed, dedicated, thoughtful, and caring over their 40-plus year relationship. She loved to engage in lively debates and was remarkably proficient in the art of conversation.
She is predeceased by her first born daughter, Allison, her sister, Jennifer Nielsen, father Norman Schwietert, mother Alice. Karen is survived by her dear husband, George, children Marcy Lenhardt (husband Terry), Mitch Silveira, Brenda Abrahams (late husband John Abrahams), Jill Silveira (Bob Brady), Sally Silveira, George’s three children, her sister, Deborah Smith, (Donald), and a loving and devoted group of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nephews and nieces.
For health and safety reasons, no services will be held at this time. If you’d like to make a donation in honor of Karen, please visit the Healdsburg Animal Shelter website.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Dutton
Gerald Popert
September 16, 2025
Sorry George, she was an amazing person.
Best to you and the familey
Sallie Rhonda Silveira
July 27, 2025
5 years ago you left us all in this earth, Mom, and you left a void that will never be filled. You added so much to this world, and to our lives, for which I'll always be grateful. Me and my siblings are gathering today to honor you. We love you. Stop by and visit!
Jill Silveira-daughter
January 3, 2022
Where did she go?
Standing on the front porch, I see her wisteria reach to pierce the intangible blue of sky. I look around and close my eyes and inhale the sweet scent of her fast-fading violets. The West Wind falters before it shores up through her liquidambar tree with a sigh.
As the sun sinks behind the trees, birds twitter in the encroaching shadows of twilight.
Where did she go?
Entering the quietude of her house, I see shadows advance on the golden flecks of her bare kitchen counter.
Looking out the window, I see birds frolic in the spots of sunlight that flicker upon the spray of her fountain.
Reflections on her glass dining room table evoke images of how family and friends would surround her.
In the echoes of my memory, I hear her playing the piano from the room upstairs, how honeyed it sounded!
Where did she go?
Her melodic voice and lilting laugh merge with the sound of wind hushing through the trees.
And then it breathes into her house, blending with the sweet-toned piano notes, and it seems
that a silent shadow is moving on the wall in accordance with the music... like a dancer.
The Western Wind exhales through the Liquidambar, and it responds with a sigh of an answer.
She is here...she is everywhere.
Sally Silveira
December 23, 2020
Hearing all the christmas classical piano is just not the same without you. I'll always have the memories of you playing christmas carols on your piano for us.
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Sally Silveira
December 23, 2020
Happy Days Mom. I love you, I miss you. The holidays will never be the same without you. No days will ever be the same without you. No days will ever come close to being as good as when you were here. I wake in the early morning, still half asleep, and have a vision in my mind's eye that I'll be able to talk with you today. Then when I fully awake and realize you're gone, and I won't ever talk with you again, my day is just askew. There's no getting around it, there's no psycho babble therapist who can lead me down this path towards fullness. It's just how it is. I miss you so much. But I hope somehow you can see that I'm taking extremely good care of your two kitties, Prudence and Joanne. I even took Prudence in for a Lion's cut. They undoubtedly miss you, of course they do, but I've made them a very happy home.
We all miss you this Christmas. It's just crazy, you not being here. We all love you, and Jesus blesses your beauty and spirit. Prudence is always with you in spirit, and she's become my best friend. Go figure, right!?
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
Grandson Christopher Brady’s birthday, cancer didn’t stop her from bringing the cake to the bowling party. So strong, rarely expressing her struggles. Daughter Brenda, Terry Lenhardt, (Marcy’s husband).
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
A powerful union, George took excellent care of our mother, especially difficult caretaker since her cancer diagnosis in the autumn of 2017....may he find healing and solace in the memories and in the nurture and caring for their 4 pets, Annie, Teddy, Prudence & Joanne, as I found healing in caring for our late sister’s, Allison, cats.
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
Good times with family in Tahoe, 1990, George, Brenda & Holly, Marcy, family friend, Karen, Sally & Allison ♥
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
With her 2 of 4 of her current, dear pets, Teddy & Prudence, 2019
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
Holly Abrahams, Nikolas Brady, baby John Archer Lyman’s first birthday party, February 2020
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
Sisters Deborah Smith, her late sister Jennifer Nielsen
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
Mom’s retirement party, here with her 5 daughters
Jill, Karen, Brenda, Marcy, with Sally and Allison (passed away 12/2003) in front.
Marcy Silveira Lenhardt
November 2, 2020
Mom’s 6 children, 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren with 3rd on the way, as Holly Abrahams, pictured here from 1990, is due with her second, were EVERYTHING to her along with dogs and cats, she’d worry aloud to her dear George, and offer support often.
Mom had some precious hours with great grandchild baby John Archer, 21 months, and I know her spirit will be present for Dan Lyman and Holly’s new child coming in December.
A strong matriarch, intelligent and progressive, as we worry about the state of our country under the worst leadership ever imagined, we miss her SO much and trust we will be reunited some day, as we lean on the guidance she gave.
Brenda Abrahams
August 19, 2020
I found this picture today in an antique curio that my mother entrusted to me. It holds many items of past generations Antique leather shoes with buttons, antique sewing thimbles, photographs including this one of my beautiful mother. A picture of a darling, happy baby who smiles at us reassuringly that she is no longer in pain, but she is in peace and comfort in that realm we cannot yet know. I continue to wrestle with the realization that she is gone from my life here. I wake up every morning and in that half awake half asleep state I know something has changed Something has drastically changed and I ask myself as I try to come fully awake what has happened? What has happened? And then I’m awake and I know... I know I will never have her here with me yet I also know I will see her again as it gets me through the day. I miss you mom more than I can articulate even to myself. I will always miss you and I will always love you.
Sally Silveira
August 13, 2020
Mom loved her pets. Pictured here with her dog Teddy who loved her so much.
Sally Silveira
August 12, 2020
Mom loved all her family events. This a Christopher Brady birthday lunch Petaluma.
Sally Silveira
August 10, 2020
My mother, Karen, was brilliant, interesting, intellectual and insightful. What really made her superior, what made her genuinely matter, is that she was humble, and never strove to be the center of attention. She never let ego drive her. She never actually WANTED to work as a legal assistant. She took the job out of financial necessity. She was of the generation to have babies and run a home. Then times changed and she did the best she could by taking this job. She was smarter than any of the lawyers or judges for whom she worked. She could easily have been a judicial officer of one of the highest courts if she'd been born later and in a more progressive geographic. Her intellect, intelligence, and incredible beauty were meant for much bigger and brighter places and things. All of us were blessed to have shared time with her. Her shyness and lack of need for the spotlight was, to me, her most endearing and admirable qualities. She had a Christ-like quiet confidence by leaving her ego at the door. I also loved her devotion to animals.
I've gone through some very hard times in life, but nothing prepared me for this.. none of those hard times come close to how hard it has been in losing her. This is a monumental loss to me, and all those who knew and loved her. Waking up each morning realizing she's gone is a pain I've never felt and will probably always feel going forward. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be living with her the final 7 months of her life. We shared some incredible times together. For this I feel very blessed, and I was able to tell her all the really important things that matter in the end. She taught me a lot, especially in those last few days. I was listening Mom, so again, thank you.
Nancy A Peterson
August 4, 2020
Today I found out that my cousin, Karen Dutton, passed away. She and her family made a huge impact on my life.
I first remember meeting Karen when I was sixteen. I wanted to go visit with my Aunt Alice and Uncle Norm for the summer and my parents said yes. Imagine how exciting it was for me, a young girl from New Mexico getting to go to Healdsburg, California, to stay with her Aunt and Uncle and meet her only cousins! They were such a mystery, these “Californians”.
Karen’s family took me to see the beach and the Redwood Forest. I got to go to the wharf in San Francisco, HIPPO Burger and before that, we went to see “HAIR”! They treated me as well, their own. She was a very affirming and encouraging to me. Through that summer, I gained new confidence. I went home wishing I could be a California Girl.
After that visit, we lost touch. Time passed and eventually I moved from New Mexico to San Diego, California to work with the traveling musical theater ministry of Campus Crusade. I asked if could come to Karen’s for Thanksgiving. Of course, they said yes. I got to Santa Rosa in the middle of the night and Jennifer, Karen’s sister, made up the couch up for me. The next day, I finished my journey to Healdsburg.
Thanksgiving was nice. I was happy to be with family, in the beautiful home she created. One of her gifts was hospitality. Another was service and caring for others. She was a strong woman, with strong convictions. I loved and appreciated her hospitality, and the fact that although we held very different views on life, faith and politics, she was always kind and accepting.
I called the other day to see how everyone was. No answer. So, I texted Marcy, and she was kind enough to break the sad news to me. Our NM family extends our condolences to you all. Grieve well. Praying for you to feel comfort and peace in your time of grief and beyond. Nancy Peterson< - (COUSIN) **the picture below is a fraction of the NM Peterson-Wester Clan. My niece's husband's graduation.
Barbara Dunn
August 2, 2020
It is with great sadness and heartbreak that I learned of the passing of Karen. I worked with Karen at the District Attorney Family Support Unit and she quickly became one of my favorite people. It was an honor to know her and her family whom she fiercely loved. What a wonderful woman and she left a legacy of love. My condolences to the family. May you remember the love and happy times and find comfort in those memories. Bobbi Dunn
David L Dunn
August 2, 2020
Donna Tellyer
August 1, 2020
Karen was one of those women that come into one's life ,even for a short time, is never forgotten.
Debbie Siegel
August 1, 2020
I have fond memory of our last visit together- shooting the breeze, playing with the pups. I had hopes for more but... wasn't to be. Our thoughts are with your family.
Holly Abrahams
July 30, 2020
The world and our family isn’t the same without you. You are missed and always will be. I hope you are enjoying the rest and the energy you so missed at the end. I love you.
-Holly
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