Coletta Rutter, 92, former resident of Manlius, NY, died peacefully on April 18th in Buffalo, NY, surrounded by family.

Coletta was born on May 3, 1924 in Hamburg, NY. After graduating from Albright Art School and Buffalo State Teacher’s College with a degree in Art Education, she taught Art to grades 1-12 in the Woodlawn schools in Buffalo. She also did postgraduate work at University of Buffalo.

She had a beautiful 53-year marriage to Harry T. Rutter, Jr., who predeceased her in 2005. They fell in love at first sight as members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Junior Committee and shared a wonderful lifetime together, true sweethearts to the end. They raised six children together and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2001.

Coletta loved art, music, reading, animals of all kinds, and, most of all, spending time with her family. She was admired for her sweetness of spirit, radiant smile, abundant kindness, artistic sense, and her endless interest in everyone she met. Very few knew that she also danced a mean tango, played piano, and was a pie maker unparalleled.

A longtime parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, NY, Coletta was a dedicated member of the church choir for many decades, lending her lovely alto voice to Sunday Masses, Midnight Mass every Christmas and many other church celebrations. She also served on the Immaculate Conception Home/School Board in various capacities, including president, over nine years.

Coletta was the beloved mother of Deborah Walt, Thomas (Beth) Rutter, Barbara (Alan) Jeff, Robert (Laurie) Rutter, Mary Rutter and John (Laurie) Rutter; and devoted grandmother of Jonathan, Nicholas, Zachary, Joshua (Molly), Benjamin, David, Aaron, Caitlin, Ronald (Kristina), Jacqueline, Michael, and Lisa. She is also survived by her brother, Fred (Sue) Mimken; and many nieces and nephews.

Private services have been held.