Mrs. Joan M. Hutchison

Joan Marie Hutchison 90, of Malone, passed on to a better life on March 15, 2025 in Cortlandt, NY, surrounded by all of her children and one of her grandchildren. Born on April 22, 1934 in Rochester, NY, Joan was the daughter of John and Julia (Johnston) Kress. Joan graduated from Ladycliff Academy, Highland Falls, NY and from Ladycliff College, with a bachelor’s degree. On December 29, 1956, she married Jarold L. (Jerrie) Hutchison at Holy Trinity Chapel, West Point, NY. Jerrie predeceased her on March 23, 2017. Joan is survived by five children, Carolyn of Chapel Hill, NC, Steven and his wife, Susan of Barboursville, VA, Mark and his wife, Laura of North Easton, MA, Brian and his partner, Susan Johnson of Hendersonville, NC, and Michael and his wife, Jacqueline of Round Rock, TX; her special companion, James Riendeau of Mahopac, NY and members of his family; thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews whom she loved; and her sisters Janet Darcangelo of Calgary, Canada, Julie Mars of Oneonta, NY , and Laura Nicholas of Winthrop, NY. Her sisters, Shirley Carter and Mary Starling, predeceased her. Joan worked full-time as an Army wife and as a mother to her five children. She accompanied her husband on military assignments in Germany, the Panama Canal Zone, and eight states. In each of those places, she made a home for her family. It was difficult moving every one or two years, and Joan created the space for her husband and children to thrive. During Jerrie’s twenty-four years of active duty, the family moved fifteen times, which included the two years she took care of her children while Jerrie was deployed to combat in Vietnam. Following Jerrie’s retirement, the family moved five more times, finally landing in Malone, where she generously welcomed everyone, maintaining family traditions in the very farmhouse the family has occupied for the past 100 years. She was fiercely loyal to her family and worked tirelessly on their behalf. She was definitely a giver and made life easier for people around her. She also volunteered many hours in several schools, helping children improve their reading and life skills, forging deep bonds with the children, some of whom maintained contact for years and even visited her on summer vacations from another state. Joan had artistic and musical talent and was an accomplished pianist. She also loved to read, work crossword and Wordle puzzles, play the piano, write her life’s memories, and spend time with family. She was also a communicant of St. Helen’s Church, Chasm Falls and loved her church family. She will be greatly missed! There are no calling hours. We invite you to celebrate her life at a funeral mass which will be held at St. Helen’s Church, Chasm Falls on May 23 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on the Lake Titus Road immediately following.

Mrs. Joan M. Hutchison

April 22, 1934 - March 15, 2025