Dates
Elizabeth Anne Files Dutton entered her heavenly life on April 25, 2026, welcomed by her parents, Sidney J. Files, Jr., and Jennie Buttrill Files; and other cousins, friends and loved ones. Those left behind will miss her daily and pray for the reunion in heaven - her lifetime love Tony Randolph Dutton, married almost 62 years; her daughters Heather (wife Lois), Margaret (husband Josh), and Kathryn (husband Joe); and grandchildren Mike, Charlie, Dorothy, Helen, Katherine and Eliza.
Anne was born September 2, 1942, in Upper Darby (PA). Her father worked for General Electric and moved the family multiple times, including to Indianapolis, Dallas, Beaumont and Burlingame (CA), where Anne spent elementary to 6th grade. From there they moved to Houston (TX) where Anne graduated from high school as the valedictorian of Spring Branch High School, of a class of 475 students.
Anne attended the University of Texas at Austin in the Plan II Liberal Arts Honors program, which is where she met her future husband Tony, during her junior year. She graduated with honors in 1964. She and Tony were married at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston (TX) on June 20, 1964.
Anne’s family was a strong Presbyterian family, and Tony was a devout member of the Disciples of Christ Church growing up. They found the Episcopal church in their early married life, then converted to Catholicism in their later married life. Church and an active spiritual life have always held special significance for Anne and Tony.
Anne and Tony were teachers all their adult lives. Anne taught mathematics, eventually heading the mathematics department at Central High School in San Angelo.
Anne was especially talented in artistic endeavors. From needlework to crocheting, drawing and ceramics painting, Anne was a proficient and creative artist. She even became a skilled stained-glass artist in her 40s. She instilled a much-appreciated love of artistic creativity in her daughters and grandchildren.
Service was especially important to Anne. Besides countless church volunteering and decades of weekly delivery of Meals for the Elderly, Anne was active with the PEO organization - including serving as the president for several years - always offering her time and talents to others.
Anne was always up for an adventure, moving with Tony from Texas to Ithaca (NY) for Tony’s PhD program at Cornell University. They drove a Volkswagen bug the whole way, in the summer, with an almost 2-year old Heather and while Anne was 8 months pregnant with Margaret. They then drove back to Texas 2 years later in that same bug, now with 2 young daughters and again, Anne 8 months pregnant with Kathryn. They led countless family trips to Estes Park (CO) through the years, which remains a special place for the Dutton family. The family is especially appreciative of the many memorable moments in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park with family and friends.
Always up for travel, Anne was awarded a Fulbright trip which took her to Japan along with teachers from all over the country. Anne and Tony spent several hours in the car and by plane to visit Heather and her family in California; Margaret and her family in Ohio, Switzerland, Amsterdam, and Connecticut; and Kathryn and her family in Texas. Keeping close connections to family was central to Anne, and the relationships she nourished are a true testament to her love.
A few notes from Anne’s private journal, dated summer 1956 (at age 13)… Under hobbies, she listed “arts and crafts” and “knowledge for care and happiness of my own children.” Another entry… “Whatever I decide to do must be in helping others. I’ve thought of being a teacher, a nurse, a missionary, a director of religious education, and a social worker.”
Tony, Heather, Margaret and Kathryn want to send special thanks to all those who gave Anne’s life peace and comfort in her last years - Jocelyn and her team of resident assistants and med techs, Rachel, Clint, and the full team at Brayden Park Assisted Living and Memory Care; Meghan Hunter (registered nurse from Gentiva Hospice); and the countless others who took such tender care of Anne.
Anne will be mourned every day - and celebrated - by all those who had the fortune to know and love her. The family will host a visitation on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 4:00-6:00pm, at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo (2606 Southland Blvd), with a rosary to follow at 6:00pm. A celebration of life and Mass of the Resurrection will be held at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10:00am, with a reception to follow (20 E Beauregard Avenue). The interment of Anne’s ashes will be at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park (CO) at a later date.
For those wishing to honor Anne, we would welcome donations to Meals for the Elderly in San Angelo (https://www.mealsfortheelderly.org/) - where Tony and Anne volunteered for decades - or to a charity of your choice.