Lisa Valentini-Dutcher

Shandaken-

Lisa Anne Valentini-Dutcher, of Shandaken, NY, laid rest to her body on May 3, 2018 so she could tend to the great gardens of the spirits. She left suddenly, as such an important duty cannot be delayed, yet she waited until her large family was by her side before releasing her spirit.

Lisa's primary occupation was being a mom. Within the warm embrace of her 1.5 acre Eden, she bore eight babies-- David Morra, Jessica Morra, Valerie Stewart, James Morra, Elizabeth Force, Paula Dutcher, Stormie McShea, and Cedar Dutcher-- without any doctors or medications. However, she never took down the "vacancy" sign outside of her humble house, so hundreds of children, new mothers, hungry travellers, and lonely folks sought respite upon stepping over the threshold of her home. Lisa then became Nanny, and treasured teaching her six (soon to be seven) grandchildren how to sing Italian nursery rhymes and spot fairies hiding within the foliage. Lisa cared for her parents, and is survived by her father, Aldo Valentini, of Shandaken, and predeceased by her Mom Ida Bertorelli Valentini. Lisa was a widower; she provided hospice for her husband of 16 years, Paul "Hooper" Dutcher, until he passed away in 2007. Soon after, Clint Cure, of Pine Hill, swooped her off of her size 11 feet and filled her heart's chalice to the brim--and then it overflowed-- with true love and joy and adoration. Her friends and family could hold their cups under hers to share in that sweet nectar.

Lisa was a prophet of the simple life. Kindness was the way. Strength was the goal. Joy was the blessing. Nature was the sanctuary. Her touch commanded healing and growth. We idolized her as a mountain good-witch who healed the wounded with tinctures and herbs foraged by her hands. She sectioned off her homestead for chickens and dogs and goats and honeybees. She grew pomegranates and figs and sweet potatoes and chocolate vines in her greenhouses. Everything she touched grew to fruition. Her laughter echoed through the hollows of her Catskills. Her selflessness was contagious. Lisa, our mountain fairy, our earth mother, our kind friend, our strong warrior. We sure will miss you.

A Service to Celebrate the Life of Lisa will be held on Tuesday at 8pm at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home 87 Main St. Phoenicia. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4pm and 7-8pm at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Lisa Valentini-Dutcher Green Thumb Memorial Scholarship fund. You may share a special memory with the family on Lisa's Memorial Page at www.gormleyfuneralhome.com

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