Patricia McHugh Hutchinson, 81

Pat went to be with the Lord on Oct. 2, 2025. She was born Nov. 3, 1943, in Buckley, Wash., the second child of Maybelle Julia Gervais and Patrick Fredrick McHugh.

After her mother’s death, Pat and her two brothers were raised by their aunt, Irene, and their uncle, Brooks Payne. Pat graduated from Bishop Dennis J O’Connell High School in Arlington, Va., in 1962. After which, she attended nursing school at DePaul Hospital, graduating in 1965.

She made an active decision to join the Army to “do all she [could] in Viet Nam.” She was assigned to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. After her tour of duty overseas, she was assigned to Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, Va. She continued working as a nurse in a variety of places before moving back to Washington state. 

In Washington, she enjoyed exploring the natural environment, hiking, animal watching, canoeing and skiing. She and Dean (William Dean Hutchinson, her future husband) met on the slopes and continued enjoying nature together, camping and exploring throughout the western U.S. They married Nov. 2, 1974. Their two sons were born in 1976 (Richard) and 1978 (Hugh). Pat continued to work part-time in nursing until 1982. In 1982, Dean was offered a Postmaster position in the remote community of Tok, Alaska. Pat was ever supportive of Dean’s dreams and goals, and so the family moved north. Due to the remote nature of the community, there was no real possibility of continuing her nursing career. She spent her time with a number of community organizations and teaching her sons the many ways to live off the land. 

In 2001, Pat and Dean relocated to Plummer, Idaho, to care for Dean's ailing mother. Once again, Pat jumped into any community organizations that needed help and whose values coincided with hers. She was active in the American Legion, the Worley Community Church and the Plummer Friends of the Library. Embracing their Christian values, she and Dean would invite those in need into their home when help was needed. This practice began in Alaska and continued in Plummer, a demonstration to their sons that loving your neighbor would bring joy not just to those in need but to you as well. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, older brother and husband. She is survived by her brother, Charles R. McHugh (wife Fumi) of Bangkok/Osaka, sons Hugh L. Hutchinson (wife Alexandra) of Davenport, Fla., and Richard A Hutchinson (wife Ashley) of Greenville, N.C., and grandchildren William Dean and Addison Grace, and a large family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral service will be Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Yates Funeral Home at 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID. Interment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery. Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home. Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.