Barbara Trixie Dutram

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in her home on January 7, 2026. Barbara Trixie Dutram lived a long and blessed life spanning over nine decades.

Born in Haynes, Bedfordshire, England in 1932. She was the middle child of Arthur and Annie Russell. She had an older brother Don and younger brother Malcom. Trixie was 7 years old when World War II began in Europe. The next 6 years formed most of her childhood memories, and the experiences developed her character. She had resilience, determination, and perseverance, each adding to the “spunk” she was known for.

In 1951, during the Korean War, she met an American Airman stationed abroad at Chicksand. She and Norman Dutram would marry and have their first son, Paul Dutram - Union, KY - while Norman was still serving in England. After the war, they moved to Massachusetts. Trixie and Norman went on to have 4 more children. Drew Dutram (Janice) Williamantic, CT, Lisa Willoughby (Jeff) Union, KY, Mark Dutram, (Sondra) Santa Rosa Beach, FL and Glen Dutram Winchester, KY.

In 1972, she began volunteering with the Head Start Program in Putnam, CT. The director encouraged Trixie (who was a “natural”) to get a degree in early childhood education. She was by this time, a divorced mother and the sole provider for her three youngest children. With her unyielding determination, Trixie did accomplish what she set out to do. She went on to teach for over two decades (and also drove the bus for school pick up in the mornings.) In the evenings, Trixie would leave to prepare the supper meal at St Mary’s Convent five nights a week. The twenty retired nuns looked forward to Trixie’s home cooked meals. She was a fantastic cook, and most people would concur - her pies could have won a blue ribbon at any county fair!

Trixie eventually retired and a new opportunity followed. She was offered a position working at Thornfield Hall, a residential group home for women with physical and intellectual disabilities. At 67, most people would have passed on that offer, but not Trixie. The staff and residents quickly became like family. While at Thornfield, she had the chance to travel with “the girls” all over New England as they participated in the annual Special Olympics. She had many memorable adventures with them, and after 20 more years of service she was on to her next chapter.

She had 9 grandchildren - Joshua, Nicole, Jarrod, (Lindsey), Logan, (Amanda), Cole, (Shannon), Noah (Val), Chandler (Joelle), Pasha, and Sydney, and now 9 great grandchildren - but none were close by. After much encouragement, she made the big move to Kentucky at the age of 89!

Trixie had almost 5 years of precious time with family and her new friends at Legacy Living. She enjoyed the simple things in life. Watching the birds out her back window and sitting on her front porch waiting for someone to stop by for a chat - Nana was happiest when she had visits with family, especially the great grandchildren.

We were blessed to observe a life lived with faith, fortitude, and service to others. We want to honor her. A memorial service will be held in the Legacy Living Chapel, Florence, KY on Saturday, January 17th at 1:30.