Judy L. Hutchins
April 19, 1941 – April 1, 2022
Judy L. Hutchins, age 80. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaneal and Edith Pitts, and brother, Neal Pitts. She is survived by her husband, Joel Hutchins, M.D.; son, Grant Hutchins, M.D.; daughter, Claire Hutchins Baker, M.D.; daughter-in-law, Kathryn Fitch Hutchins, M.D.; grandchildren, Lauren Lazure, Grace and Evelyn Hutchins, and Bruce, Nate, and Juliet Baker; siblings, Susan (James) Quinn, Craig (Barb) Pitts, Gary (Vicki) Pitts, Theresa Saltsgiver, Christine Pitts, and Dawna Pitts Nelson; and many nieces and nephews.
She was born April 19, 1941 in Sioux City, Iowa, the first of eight children. She spent most of her childhood in Walthill, Nebraska, and her family moved to South Sioux City, Nebraska her sophomore year of high school. After high school, she attended nursing school at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated as an RN in 1962 and worked as a pediatric nurse in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she worked with Irma Hutchins, who arranged for Judy to meet her son, Joel Hutchins. Joel and Judy married on May 23, 1964 and spent a year living in Pasadena, California, where Judy worked in a dermatology clinic and Joel worked in LA with the public health service. They then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Joel attended medical school and completed his residency. During that time Judy worked as a nurse at Immanuel hospital and then in an allergy clinic. Once children were added to the family, starting with Grant arriving in 1970, Judy stayed home to care for the children. After Joel’s residency was complete in 1973, they moved to Gordon, Nebraska where they lived until 2011. In Gordon, Judy worked as a school nurse and ran the monthly immunization clinic.
She was active in the United Methodist Church, the local library board, the Music and Dramatic Club, and in her children’s school and extra-curricular activities. She was an avid reader and loved crosswords and logic puzzles, knitting and crocheting, cats, bird watching, British television programs, and documentaries. She was a prized Trivial Pursuit team-member. She planned wonderful family vacations, had a green thumb for house plants, and became an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska in 2007. In 2011 Joel and Judy moved to Omaha, Nebraska to be closer to their children and grandchildren. There Judy enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities and spending time with her family. Due to her declining health, they moved to Pacific Springs assisted living in January of 2020. Her dementia rapidly progressed, and she passed away on April 1, 2022 surrounded by her family.
Memorials can be directed to St Luke’s College for the Judy Pitts Hutchins Memorial Scholarship, Gordon City Library, or the Nebraska Children’s Home Society.
VISITATION: Thursday, April 14th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, April 15th at 11am, West Center Chapel. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Friday, April 15th at 3pm, Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln, NE. To view a live broadcast of the Memorial Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
8 Comments
So sorry to hear about Judy,, condolences to the family.
Dr. Hutchins and his wife Judy made such a profound impact on our small town of Gordon, Nebraska. For years, Judy ran immunization clinics to serve our community, while Dr. Hutchins cared for our patients. Many of the opportunities in healthcare that exist locally today, are thanks to Judy and Joel. We are so very saddened to hear of her passing. All of our staff that had the pleasure of knowing Judy, know what a treasure she was, and how deeply she will be missed. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Judy was a housemate of mine for several years before marriage to Joel. We had many great experiences, shared lots of meals, trips. I am so sad to learn of her death, and send my condolences to Joel and her family.
The Pitts family were our wonderful neighbors in Walthill and I think of them often. I have a memory after they moved to South Sioux of staying with them and going to pick Judy up at the nursing school. It seemed to me that Judy always was reading. I hope to make it to the service to share condolences with old friends. I went to Neal memorial but found it had been canceled during Covid worst time. Saw the family last at Edith’s service.
Sincere Sympathy to all Judy’s family myself and my brother Doug.
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I loved working with both Judy and Joel when I lived in Gordon.
I got the pleasure of meeting Judy and Joel ,about 10years ago. She was a lovely lady with a contagious smile. I will miss seeing her and her dedicated husband Joel. My thoughts and prayers are with Joel and the family.
Condolences to Joel and Grant and Claire their family members on Judy’s passing. One always remembers special people we cross paths with in our lives. Judy and Joel are in this group. May your family memories bring comfort to all of the Hutchins family. .
Our condolences from New Jersey. Nancy, Katie, Barbara and Kris were able to watch the service from here. Wish we could be there. Much love.
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