Obituary of Mary Anne Hutchinson PhD

Dr. Mary Anne Hutchinson

Mary Anne Hutchinson, 78, of Rome, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024, at the Wynn Hospital with her husband by her side. She was born on December 21, 1945, in Rome, N.Y., a daughter of the late E. Donald and Edith Armstrong Aicholtz. Mary Anne was a graduate of Westmoreland Central High School, and she continued her education by attending Utica College and earning her Master’s degree and Doctorate degree from Syracuse University. On December 19, 1966, Mary Anne was united in marriage to Norman E. Hutchinson in a ceremony which took place in the First United Methodist Church of Rome.  

Mary Anne returned to her alma mater where she served as a Professor of English at Utica College, where she helped mold many bright minds with her gift to teach and love of education; Mary Anne was a beloved professor until her retirement as a professor emerita. While at Utica College, Mary Anne taught English in the Humanities Department. She had a love of literature especially Shakespeare and mystery novels and was successful in passing this love onto her students. Mary Anne always said that she taught students, not subjects. Also, during her time at Utica College, she served as union president through contract negotiations and was head of the Writing Center for many years. Her achievements are remarkable when one considers that she was the daughter of a factory working father and a housewife who lived through the Great Depression.

Mary Anne was always involved at church. While at her childhood congregation Calvary United Methodist Church, she was an adult leader at the United Methodist Youth Fellowship and served as a volunteer church secretary. Later at Delta United Methodist Church, Mary Anne was a Lay Leader for many years and was a moving force in the June Extravaganza and other events at the church. She continued her religious life by becoming an Episcopalian joining Grace Episcopal Grace in Utica. She provided the idea for help bags which contain non-perishable food items, socks, and other necessities to those living on the street.

Mary Anne was an avid reader who enjoyed various genres and writing styles. She enjoyed garage sale finds and making them her own. Mary Anne enjoyed spending time with friends, family, and colleagues. The hallmarks of Mary Anne’s life can be summed up as a love for learning, concern for the less fortunate, her Christian faith, and a love for her sons, granddaughters, daughter-in-law, and others.

Mary Anne is survived by her beloved husband, Norman of Rome; three sons; Christopher “Kit” Hutchinson, Adam and his wife Justine Hutchinson all of Herkimer and Zachary Stuart Hutchinson of Rome; two cherished grandchildren, Jillian and Alaina; several nieces, a nephew and cousins; numerous friends and colleagues from Utica College. Mary Anne was predeceased by a sister, Donna Aicholtz, in-laws Claude and Elizabeth Hutchinson, her brother-in-law Oliver Clark and his wife Jane, a nephew Christopher Clark, and a special cousin, Walter Armstrong, who was like a brother to her.

Her family would like to thank Dr. Alecia DeTraglia who treated Mary Anne for 18 years.  Her family would also like to thank the nurses and staff at the Faxton campus of MVHS especially Chris in the infusion unit who with his kindness and wit made visits there more bearable.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 5-7 P.M. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road, Rome. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 5 P.M. at the Grace Episcopal Church of Utica, located at 6 Elizabeth Street, Utica N.Y. 13501.

Mary Anne was always concerned about the welfare of others.  One of the ways she demonstrated this concern was by making frequent food gifts to St. Margaret’s Food Pantry and Connected Community Schools of Rome.  She also made frequent monetary donations to other organizations such as World Central Kitchen to feed people in the third world. In lieu of flowers, her family asks for donations to St. Margaret’s Food Pantry, 6 Elizabeth Street, Utica, NY 13501, Connected Community Schools of Rome, 207 North James Street, Rome, NY 13440, or any other food bank.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?”

-Micah 6:8