Mary Ellen Sutton

Mary Ellen Sutton, Emporia, Kansas, died Saturday, April 13, 2024 at home. She was 75 years old.

Mary was born on April 26, 1948, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Alfonso A. and Consuelo (Torres) Luna. She attended school at Briarcliff College in Iowa, and Emporia State University. After graduating, she entered a Franciscan community from 1969-1970. She married Stephen J. Sutton on June 10, 1977, in Emporia, Kansas. He passed on September 13, 2016.

Mary worked as a Child Care License Surveyor for the Lyon County Health Department in Emporia, Kansas, for 36 years and retired in September of 2014. She also represented the county through several different childcare organizations, volunteered as a Lyon County CPR instructor, CPR treasurer, and at EKAN.

Mary loved the ocean and coast, and after retirement she visited Oregon quite frequently. She also loved the mountains, and enjoyed traveling to Colorado Springs with her husband, Stephen.

She is survived by her daughter, Melanie A. Sutton, Raymore, MO; brother James (Marsha) Luna, Olathe, KS; sister Ruth Ann Luna, Overland Park, KS; and grandchildren Michael Jay and Mia Jewel.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Emporia Friends of the Zoo, sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas, 66801.

Cremation is planned. The rosary will be recited Friday, April 26, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Emporia, Kansas. Visitation will follow. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Mount St. Francis Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.