Gov. DeWine honors actress, philanthropist Zoe Dell Nutter, who died Wednesday

Gov. DeWine took a few moments Thursday to honor Zoe Dell Nutter, who passed away at 104 years old on Wednesday.

“She was an amazing person, truly a pioneer in so many, many ways,” he said.

He went on to recite the words Former First Lady Laura Bush used to describe Nutter when presenting her with the Ford’s Theater Lincoln Medal in 2006: “Few women can claim to be a dancer, a model, a huntress, an aviator, a philanthropist and a pirate … Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter is one of the few.”

The Nutter family have donated millions over the years to various causes in the Dayton area, most notably their $1.5 million donation to Wright State University in 1986. This funded the building of the Ervin J. Nutter Center.

Gov. DeWine expressed that Nutter was a friend to both him and wife Fran, as well as Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

“Her impact on aviation and the entire Miami Valley will certainly live on.”

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