On Saturday she was recognised for her service to the organisation with golden honours at a special ceremony in Balclutha.
It was held specially for her as she was unable to travel to Christchurch for the institute's formal ceremony.
Mrs McNutt said she was humbled to receive the honours.
''It really is a privilege and a blessing to work with so many capable and able women.''
She said there had been a lot of fun and friendships over the years.
''We've spent so many years working together in this movement.''
The 93-year-old first joined the women's institute at Romahapa in 1954 where she spent 30 years in roles such as president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
She was elected to the South Otago federation in 1974 and was the secretary for two years. Mrs McNutt moved to Wanaka in 1984 with her husband, Joe, where she carried on entering competitions and served terms as president and secretary of the institute.
She moved once again to Roxburgh in 2006 before returning home to Balclutha last year.
''It's been welcoming coming home.''
Mrs McNutt said she would have ''loved'' to join the Romahapa institute again but was unable due to the timing of meetings, but she had been welcomed wholeheartedly into the Balclutha institute.
South Otago Women's Institute president Shona Preddy said the ''very active and wonderful'' lady was an extremely valuable member of the Balclutha women's institute who lived the organisation's aspirations ''to the full at all times''.
She was honoured to have Mrs McNutt recognised for her service to the organisation in Central and South Otago.
Three other women received gold honours by the New Zealand Federation of Women's Institute.
They were Rei Pope, of Nelson, Betty Goldsworthy, of Hawkes Bay, and Lorraine Miles, of Manawatu.
