Coleen A. (Craven) Jutras

Coleen A. (Craven) Jutras passed away July 28, 2024, having lived a full 91 years of life.  She was born in Boone, IA, daughter of Helen (Larson) Carlson and Earl Craven.  After graduating high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving 3 years, first at Carswell AFB, TX, then at Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE, Headquarters for Strategic Air Command. With pride, she would say she worked as a secretary for a female Lieutenant Colonel.  As part of the Air Force’s recruiting efforts, she & her sister Pat were photographed for use in ads to attract other women to the military. She met her husband, Norman “Skip” Jutras, Sr. at Offutt and they married on the base in 1954.  After leaving the service, they moved to Skip’s hometown, Amesbury and enjoyed 43 years together, until his death in 1998.

Coleen was a faithful Catholic, attending church until the pandemic. In earlier years, she served as a CCD teacher & as chairperson of the craft table at church fairs.  One of her favorite sayings was, “Do your best and God will do the rest”.  Coleen was a devoted mom to their 5 children, making birthdays and holidays very special and supporting whatever paths they were pursuing.  For her supportive and protective nature, she earned the title “mother hawk”.  She was a master at hosting parties at their home and yard, preparing big “spreads” and always making it festive.  People always had a good time at the Jutrases. 

She worked at Amesbury Town Hall in the treasurer’s office in the 1960’s then alongside Skip at the family funeral business.  She wore many hats there, answering business calls (before beepers and cell phones), bookkeeping, landscaping, flower arranging and assisting grieving families when they rang the doorbell after hours. She had various hobbies through the years, including reading, playing the organ, cross-stitch and golf.  Coleen wintered in Florida in later years, enjoying golf, bocce, trips to the casinos & gambling cruises to the Bahamas. She golfed in ladies’ leagues both in Florida and at Amesbury Golf & Country Club. One time at ladies’ league in Florida, she hit a hole in one. 

  Coleen leaves four children and their spouses, Kimberley and Steven Graham, Coral Springs, FL, Cindy and Jim Brown, Newburyport, MA, Norman, Jr.and Jenna Jutras, Amesbury, MA, Christopher and Susan Jutras, Salisbury, MA; son-in-law Jason Page, Seabrook, NH; grandchildren Kelly (Page) Dorman and husband David; Norman Jutras, III and Emily Jutras; siblings Karen Penry, John Craven and Debbie Craven; and many nieces and nephews.  She is pre-deceased by her daughter Noreen Page (2011), sisters Helen Lamphere, Patricia Billeaud and Judi Peterson. 

  ARRANGEMENTS: Calling hours are Friday, August 2, 2024, 3:00-7:00pm at E.V. Jutras & Sons Funeral Home, 118 Friend St., Amesbury, MA. A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 3, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Church, 2 School St., Amesbury, MA. 

  Donations in Coleen’s name can be made to the Friends of the Council on Aging, 68 Elm St., Amesbury, MA 01913. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Coleen A. (Craven) Jutras, please visit our floral store.