April 3, 1929 – January 20, 2019
PRESQUE ISLE – Dolores “Do” Hutchins, 89, passed away January 20, 2019 at a Caribou health care facility. She was born in Frenchville, Maine on April 3, 1929, the daughter of Rene and Verna (Roberts) Gagnon.
“Do” received her education in the Presque Isle school system, and went on to the Normal School (which later became UMPI) to receive her teacher’s certificate. She spent her life serving others, teaching in SAD #1 school district. She taught fourth grade most of her career and influenced many young lives in a very positive way. After 30 years of teaching she retired to take care of her husband “Hutch” Hutchins who had become ill in 1986. He was her one true love and they were married on April 8, 1950. She was widowed on January 8, 1988. She committed the last 30 years to her family and many friends with her kind and encouraging heart. She always had a smile and a hug for all, many of them former students that “always” said “YOU WERE MY FAVORITE TEACHER” – she received much joy from all of them she met later in life.
After many years of teaching and raising her own children, she decided to go back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree, for which she was very proud.
During her retirement years she spent most days with her mother, Verna Hedrich, helping her in her “Gunne Sax Dress Shop” at Hedrich’s Motel in Presque Isle. She sold clothes designed by her sister, Jessica McClintock, of San Francisco. She was very proud of her sister’s accomplishments in the fashion industry and went to visit her in San Francisco many times. Her brother, Jack Hedrich, was an executive for Jessica McClintock Inc. for forty years. He passed away May 20, 2018 much loved and missed by the family and especially his sister “Do”.
In March of 2017 her daughter was diagnosed with 4th stage cancer and “Do” again committed herself to Sue’s care and wellbeing. Along with Sue’s husband, Steve Delano, they helped her pull through and get the care she needed. This took tremendous effort and energy on their part. Again, a woman of enduring strength and courage.
She loved her children and grandchildren and was so proud of them all. Saving all of their cards and letters, and reading them whenever she felt like “cheering up”.
Her other great love and passion was as a very active member of Maine Epsilon Master Beta Sigma Phi where she served on many committees and took several leadership roles in the sixty-three years she was a member. She joined in 1955 and was the oldest living member at the time of her death!
She loved to travel with her children and enjoyed sight-seeing, especially historical sites with Bruce and Sue. She traveled to Europe with her friends and had a wonderful time.
She had a love for sports, playing basketball and swimming earlier in life and then enjoying them on television after retiring. She especially looked forward to the Olympic games. Her true passion though was for professional tennis, staying up all hours of the night to watch her favorite players. She always pick the best players but they needed to be nice people not angry or obnoxious. She knew them all by name and country they were from and their ranking in the sport.
She is survived by her son, Bruce Hutchins of Discovery Bay, CA, and daughter, Susan Delano and her husband, Steve of Presque Isle, her sister, Jessica McClintock of San Fransisco, CA, grandson, Luke Hutchins, and granddaughters, Jessica Souza, Danielle McPheters, and Lacey Delano, great grandchildren, Madelyn Souza, Jacob Hutchins, Mason and Owen McPheters, nephews, Scott McClintock and Logan Hedrich, and niece Hayley Hedrich. She is also survived by two brothers, Rene and Richard Gagnon, and sister, Merrie Santoro on her father’s side of the family, and many cousins from the Robert’s side including Bonnie Nelson of Presque Isle. Among those that she would want to mention are Mark and Linda Freeman who have been a part of her family for many years and were much loved and appreciated. Additionally, Honey Higgins, a life long friend, with whom she had a special connection, and many other lifelong friendships.
She was predeceased by her husband Charles “Hutch” Hutchins, her mother, Verna Hedrich, her father, Rene Gagnon, her much loved younger brother, Jack Hedrich, many aunts and uncles too numerous to mention, but loved and missed.
“Do” will be remembered for her kind heart and warm smile by all who knew her and missed by many. Until we meet again.
Come celebrate her life with us.
Friends and family may call on Friday, January 25, 2019, from 6-8pm at Duncan Graves Funeral Home in Presque Isle. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 11am at the Presque Isle Congregational Church, 27 Church Street. A reception will follow services at the church. A private interment will take place at Fairmount Cemetery at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.duncan-graves.com
