Mary Ann Dutcher

Mary Ann Woodward Dutcher loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and every new role God threw at her; as long as it glorified Him. She left us on 16 January 2026 at 11:15 am from the Emerson House in Garden City, ID, and was promoted to her permanent residence: Heaven. Born in Warren, AR, on 24 January 1946, she would have been 80 years old, but she stepped out early and was happy to miss this birthday; and spend it with Jesus at the biggest homecoming she's ever seen. Her parents, Juanita & Paul Woodward and her brother Daniel Paul Woodward were surely at that homecoming.

Mary Ann grew up in Marianna, AR, attending Ouachita Baptist College and graduating from their Little Rock & Conway campuses in 1968. That was the same year she met and married a young Air Force officer: Donald Dutcher from the Little Rock AFB. It was close, whether she got her “BS/RN” in nursing or her “MRS” first.

If you asked Don and Ann, they would both confess to having specifically prayed to know whether they’d be single or married, and to have that knowledge before the end of that year (1968). God gave them more than just info. They were married in a very simple ceremony at the Baptist Student Union building in Little Rock, AR, on 19 December 1968.

That year was also the beginning of a maturing relationship with the Lord Jesus, as well. Every subsequent decision they made in the 57 years of marriage was made in a conference of 3 parties: Ann, Don, & the Holy Spirit. That process produced some interesting adventures leading them from Little Rock to Littleton to Rock Springs and finally Boise. No more “littles” nor “rocks.” They knew they were in Boise for life.

Don and Ann’s westward trail adventure was facilitated by one federal job after another; and two boys were born in two different regions. Ann would tell you that having those two boys was the best adventure of all! Having been told by doctors that she could not have children, she found that God had other plans. That’s a story for another day. After 6 years of marriage David Matthew Dutcher was born in Little Rock, AR. Four years later Daniel Paul Dutcher was born while they were in Littleton, CO. Today David and his wife Christi have added Miracle Dutcher to the family heritage (Lompoc, CA), and Dan with his wife Cari added Carrigan and Asha Dutcher to the heritage (Shoreview, MN).

Ann was a kind and caring nurse (RN) for the years she fulfilled that calling. Her nurturing gift made her an outstanding mother, which was her favorite calling. She was born to be the kind of mother that could shower love over her kids without smothering, be fair in correction but never leaving a doubt that it would be done in love, devote herself to helping her two boys in any way that she could, and all-the-while thoroughly loving her husband. A favorite memory for David and Dan is that of Ann baking her famous pumpkin-raisin-nut bread and her baklava. It took a LOT of effort on her part (especially the layer-by-layer rigor required for baklava). She enjoyed seeing her boys devour their mom’s culinary love. It became a tradition and a special blessing that everyone in the family looked forward to and they perpetuated it in the years to come (including her son’s wives and their children).

Ann’s ability to sweetly care for and persistently love those active Dutcher boys helped them feel secure and able to put 100% of their energy into their endeavors. A “swim mom” through and through, she would wake up with her boys at 4 am every weekday morning, fuel them up with waffles and then drive them to swim practice. While her delicious cooking was the nutritional basis for their success, her kindness and abiding encouragement forged two All-American athletes who would go on to collegiate success and, later, both become officers in the United States Air Force, like their father before them.

Ann gladly invested time, love and energy in her boys. Seeing them thrive & succeed was reward enough for her. But in fact, in a way, the boys gave more than she could have imagined: her final home on the Boise River. It was David's full ride to the Air Force Academy and Dan's scholarships that saved enough money for the family to buy the land and build our final home on the Boise River. Ann was truly the heart of this home. Her warmth and hospitality made everyone feel welcome. She helped create an inviting space for her children and grandchildren … a home where we could all make wonderful memories together.

She was also blessed with artistic skills: stained glass, pottery, sewing, home-making and was great in the kitchen. Meals were a blessing, both culinarily and in connecting hearts and minds. She would take on difficult jobs with gusto, devoting body and soul to her art. She worked tirelessly in cleaning every piece of stained glass in the magnificent restoration led by Dean Estes in the Vineyard church’s front lobby. She was known for working into the wee hours on “passion projects.” Later in life, she poured that love into sewing dresses and personal hygiene products for women in third-world countries.

In the last few years of her life God had a surprise in store for her. The James and Amberlee Rich family graciously “adopted” her as honorary grandmother to their Selah and Jonathan. Being pulled into such a loving family meant the world to Ann, especially since her own kids and grandkids lived so far away.

Our family is grateful for these and other friends and neighbors that poured love into Ann’s 35 years in Lake Harbor. That includes neighbors like Pauletta Staley, across the street, Linda next door to Pauletta, Jeff and Lori Duerner and other neighbors like Ann’s special group called “The Hood.” It was composed of ladies in the neighborhood sharing Christian love and tasty treats each week. When Ann was realizing that we needed down-sizing, this supportive group received some of her favorite pillows. Pauletta treated Ann and our kids and grandkids with a couple wonderful summertime romps on her beach, along with helping in her last days.. Distant neighbor Terry Butler put our garbage cans off the street more times than we can remember. Jeff and Lori (RN) helped us through several picklements, from food and med management, to home management.

Lest I forget, Vicky and Gary Fisher, and Bailey (their wonderful dog), this rare couple would surprise us with an entire Texas Roadhouse BBQ rib dinner, involving standing in a 30-minute line and postponing their own dinner in order to deliver to our doorstep (typical stuff for them)! Then there was Amy Kuisin who coached Ann through three long sessions of “Have you worn that in the last 3 years” and “Do you really need that item” to shrink the volume of ‘stuff’ and send carloads of clothes to others. Her patience & effectiveness was amazing.

The “Juliets”, the feminine part of the ROMEOS (a group of Retired old Men Eating Out & Serving), mothered Ann with care and godly support, knowing that Ann was preparing for her final trip … to Heaven. Joyce McNamara (& Dave) were responsible for filling in so many holes in our life during these years. We fondly remember the (Robbie & Joan) Robinson Discipleship Group that met in our home for about a decade. These, and other people, brought out the best in Ann. We are thankful for our forever family (God’s).

A key person in that forever family is Judi Estes. She was always there for Ann not only for fellowship and advice but for one of the best cups of coffee in Boise. I can’t name everyone who has helped Ann but, “A tous, merci mille fois”! (a thousand thank-yous to everyone who helped).

The entire Dutcher family has had no doubts about where Ann is going (you can be sure, too). In her final days, that assurance of Heaven and lifetime walk with the Lord gave her peace and strength to go through the Alzheimer’s battle (for 6 years). Her grandfather, in his final days, had the same assurance. On his deathbed he pointed to a ceiling corner on the other side of his room and asked if the family/visitors couldn’t see and hear that great crowd of angels singing praises to God. He was ready to GO! Ann has suffered a lot but retained her sweet nature through it all. She, too, has been ready to GO!

We’ll greatly miss that sweetness, smile and irrepressible ability to connect and care for others. Though salvation is because of Jesus’ precious, sacrificial offering of Himself, not our work; somehow His aroma can seep out of each of us … and it was all over Ann.

She will be jumping for joy in Heaven, completely whole and ready for whatever project God brings her way. May it be so for us, too!

Memorials are suggested to:

Days for Girls 

Southwest Boise Idaho Chapter

c/o Susan Thompson

11074 W. Golden Spire Dr.

Boise, ID 83709

or

Children's Ministry at Vineyard Boise Christian Fellowship

4950 N. Bradley St.

Garden City, ID 83714