HUTCHISON, Suzanne E.
Suzanne E. "Sue" Hutchison, daughter of Earle E. and Eleanor B. Edwards, died Wednesday (September 18, 2013) at McLean in Simsbury

She was born in Hartford on August 5, 1929 and grew up in Windsor. After boarding for five years at the MacDuffie School for Girls in Springfield, MA she went on to graduate from Endicott Junior College in Beverly, MA. She married James E. "Hutch" Hutchison, Jr. of West Hartford in 1952, and after a few years out of state they settled in West Hartford, where she was a devoted wife and stay-at-home mom

As a family they enjoyed beach vacations annually, first on Chebeague Island, ME and then for many years in East Orleans, MA. After the long illness and premature death in 1969 of her beloved Hutch at age 41, Sue valiantly raised her two girls while returning to work, first at TR Preston Real Estate and then at Duncaster. She retired to Yarmouth, ME in 1994 to be near her younger daughter and grandson and the seashore. There she made wonderful friends at Scarborough Beach, L.L. Bean where she worked part-time, and in her neighborhood. Four years ago she returned to Avon, CT to be near her older daughter and husband.

Sue was a lifelong and extremely talented knitter and passionate fan of Duke Men's basketball. She always had dogs: bulldogs and bullmastiffs, a Labrador retriever and a miniature schnauzer. Bird watching, sunbathing and bowling were some of her other hobbies, and she was a long-time volunteer at Hartford Hospital as well as The Ronald McDonald House in Portland, ME.

Sue was predeceased by her two older brothers whom she adored, Donald who was killed in action in France during WWII, and Gene of Clewiston, FL. She leaves behind her best (canine) friend Gunnar and two daughters, Anne Silk and husband Jim of Avon, and Suzy Hurwitz of Falmouth and Chebeague Island, ME. She also leaves three much loved grandchildren: Suzy Rojas of New York City, Lee Silk of McLean, VA and Hutch Hurwitz of Falmouth, ME.

In her last year of life she received excellent care at UConn and Hartford Hospitals. The family would like to thank the staff at McLean and ComforCare; they are also very grateful to her companion Lisa, hairdresser Jeannie, dog groomer Mary, and neighbor Randi, all of whom were compassionate friends in her final years. Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice . Vincent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Sue's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.