Kathleen “Kathy” Duggan Dutra, 82, of South Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully and comfortably at the McClure Miller Respite House on the morning of August 22, 2025, after a brave and courageous 13-year battle with lung cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family.
As she was seldom a complainer, many didn’t even know she was sick. Kathy bore her cross with dignity and grace.
She was born on April 8, 1943, in Burlington, Vt., to William F. Duggan and Mary Louise Reilling Duggan, the youngest of seven children. She attended Cathedral Grammar School and Rice Memorial High School and graduated from Edmunds (Burlington) High School in 1961.
On May 9, 1964, she married Clifford “Butch” F. Dutra Jr. at Christ the King Church in Burlington, and they spent 61 devoted years together. Together, they raised two daughters, Julie and Kellie. Kathy worked at IBM for 10 years before leaving to care for her children full time. She later reentered the workforce as a paraeducator in the South Burlington School District and retired after 18 years.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Butch; and her daughters and their husbands, Julie and George Thompson of South Burlington, and Kellie Dutra and Ron Meunier of Essex Junction, Vt. She also leaves her sister Elizabeth Rousseau and her husband, Yates; her brother Robert Duggan and his wife, Sally; her brothers-in-law Joseph Dutra and wife Diane, and James Dutra and wife Kelly; her sister-in-law Marianna Dutra; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother William, and her sisters Dorothy Quintin, Mary Kidder and Patricia Barber.
Throughout her 82 years, Kathy built and cherished many friendships that brought joy to her life. She had the biggest smile and beautiful blue eyes and lit up every room she entered. Kathy was kind, generous, patient and selfless — leaving a lasting and positive impact on everyone she met.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, 5 to 7 p.m., at Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, 2025, 11 a.m., at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Resurrection Park in South Burlington.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Farrah Khan for her unwavering and compassionate care throughout Kathy’s cancer journey. We also extend heartfelt thanks to the incredible nursing staff on Miller 3 and McClure 6 at the University of Vermont Medical Center. A special thank-you to the wonderful staff and volunteers at the McClure Miller Respite House — especially Debbie Barron and Madde Fan — whose patient, kind and compassionate care will never be forgotten. Their presence made a meaningful difference in Kathy’s final days, and we are truly thankful.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446, or to a charity close to your heart.
Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To share online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.