1 / 3

Bill Hulterstrom, president and CEO of United Way of Utah County, is shown with Myla Dutton, former director of Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo.

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

2 / 3

Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo.

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

3 / 3

Bill Hulterstrom

Courtesy United Way of Utah County

❮ ❯

The world has lost a woman who had an amazing influence on Utah County for decades. Myla Dutton passed away in San Diego on Monday evening. Myla was a dear friend and colleague, and she was instrumental in creating lasting change in our community for families living in poverty.

Myla came to Provo in 1978 having run a small Red Cross office in El Centro, California. She was the assistant director of Community Action Services and Food Bank until 1989 when she became the director. She served in that position until she retired in May 2017.

When Myla came to Community Action, the food bank was a small 5-by-7-foot pantry that served just a few families each week. The food bank has since grown to meet the needs of the community, and under Myla’s leadership, Community Action has also added financial literacy classes, first-time homebuyer education classes, food pantries throughout the valley, community gardens, a commercial kitchen and Circles — a program designed to help people move out of poverty.

“Myla set the standard for community service,” said John Curtis, U.S representative and former Provo mayor. “Her hard work combined with a deep understanding of those she served was a powerful combination. She was an icon of service and will be missed.”

Myla believed that helping families out of poverty was integral to our community. This is a very complex issue to tackle, but that didn’t stop her. She didn’t shy away from the fact that it takes effort and time. She worked tirelessly to strengthen and support Utah County families.

“Myla Dutton was a hero to so many as she led the fight against poverty in our county with her amazing courage, strength, brilliance and compassion,” said Barbara Leavitt, former director of community impact at United Way of Utah County. “She was such a powerful leader and just a true friend. Our county is so fortunate to have had a leader such as Myla. Her wisdom, experience and intelligence will be greatly missed.”

Myla saw the food bank as an opportunity to connect with people. When families came to Community Action in need of food, they were also able to speak to someone about their financial situation and be matched with resources in the community that could help improve their situation. She believed in people and their ability to succeed. She believed in helping them up.

“Myla Dutton was the social conscience of the community,” said Doug Carlson, former executive director of the Provo Housing Authority. “I always looked up to her as someone I should emulate. She had a pure heart, one of a kind. I’m truly saddened at Myla’s passing. She was a gem to work with. She was always striving to do the right thing for her constituents and employees. I loved working with her.”

With her work at Community Action, she recognized a need to focus on education and specifically on helping adults who are unable to read. She was instrumental in starting the Project Read program, which focuses on adult literacy and tutoring. Myla’s efforts paved the way for people to find success.

“Eleven years ago, Myla saw something I didn’t see in myself,” said Karen McCandless, current director of Community Action Services and Food Bank. “I was a brand new widow returning to full-time work after decades of being out of the workforce. She hired me for a newly created position, and I flourished with her support and mentorship. Myla taught me to see our community members with new eyes, and I am better for it. Our community is a better place because of Myla’s untiring efforts to bring those in the shadows into the light.”

Myla Dutton’s life was well spent in the service of others. She was a great friend to me individually and to so many others. She was a great advocate for those in our community who needed one, and she was a beautiful person who meant so much to so many. We are fortunate to have known her, and she will be greatly missed.