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BORN

1940

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Hamilton's Funeral Home on Westown Parkway

3601 Westown Parkway

West Des Moines, Iowa

Joyce Hutchison Obituary

Joyce Hutchison

Des Moines

Mary "Joyce" Hutchison (LaFollette), 76, was surrounded by family as she passed away at home on Saturday, May 7 after an almost 3-year battle with cancer.

She was a graduate of Leon (Iowa) High School and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines. She married Gary, the love of her life, in 1962, and she cherished her role as wife and mother to their three children, Joseph, Michael and Julie. With a motto of "there's always room for more"—both in her house and in her heart—she became a second mom to many. Her heart and her gifts reached far beyond her family and friends, first as an oncology nurse and later in the field of hospice care, which she played an instrumental role in introducing to the area in the 1970s. She drew on her experiences as a hospice nurse at Hospice of Central Iowa and as director of the Kavanagh House to write with co-author Sister Joyce Rupp, May I Walk You Home. After losing her beloved husband, she wrote a second book with Sr. Rupp, Now That You Have Gone Home. A third book, as yet untitled, about her own experience as a patient, will be published in the spring of 2017. Throughout her illness, she received the loving and expert care of Dr. Tom Buroker, her friend and longtime colleague during her years as an oncology nurse.

Survivors include her three children, Joe (Ann Marie) of Lynchburg, VA, Mike (Carter) of Des Moines, and Julie (Mike) Lisac of Kansas City, MO; and 9 grandchildren, Ruby, Moses, Lila and Anabel Hutchison, Griffin and Garrett Hutchison, and Emma, George and Margaret Lisac. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her parents; and her 4 brothers. Family Visitation will be held Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4-7pm with services to follow, and Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 21 at 10:30am, both at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Joyce lived a selfless life and was especially concerned about those who did not have the basic necessities. Per her wishes, in lieu of flowers, collection containers will be available at the services for non-perishable food items or donations may be made to Children and Family Urban Movement or Connection Café, both in Des Moines. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register from May 13 to May 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Hutchison

Sponsored by Hamilton's Funeral Home on Westown Parkway.

Not sure what to say?





Cathy Vannozzi

July 27, 2017

God bless this beautiful and caring woman ! There is no doubt in my mind that she was greeted by God with open arms.

Susan Niedermeier

May 24, 2016

I feel so blessed to have gotten to know and be friends with Joyce while working at West Grand Towers. I knew right off the bat, that she was a special lady or as I liked to tell her "Joyce, you are a light". Rest in peace dear Joyce. You made a difference in this world. I am sure that when you got to heaven, Jesus said to you "Well done, good and faithful servant.

Love you always.

Joel Bader

May 20, 2016

If I'm not mistaken, this Joyce Hutchinson was the same Joyce Hutchinson who provided level-headed leadership to me and my family when my mother passed away in 1981. It was through Ms. Hutchinson that I learned about organizations such as Hospice and about end-of-life arrangements. I am grateful for her pioneering work-and her leadership to our family and to many others.

John rutherford

May 20, 2016

Our hearts and minds go out to Joyce's family, for her spirituality, her mindful inclusiveness and compassion with which she invested in life.Her inner light and beauty, so visible to those fortunate to have experienced her caring touch, lives on.

Rich Tweedt

May 19, 2016

I think we can all agree this world would be a better place if there were more people like Joyce.
She will live on in the many lives she touched.

Erik Torgerson

May 17, 2016

Dear Hutch, Carter and the rest of the family,

Just want you to know that we are thinking of you and we would love to spend some time to celebrate Joyce's life with you soon!

Love you guys!!!

The Torgerson Family

Jackie Brannon

May 16, 2016

I had the honor of being the the first hospice class and having the Joyce and Sister Joyce as such inspirational leaders. They imparted such empathy and wisdom. Went on to spend many years as a hospice volunteer and always felt very blessed to have been part of such a wonderful service. Joyce planted that seed and I can still see her smiling face and hear her calming words of wisdom.

gladys keller leeper

May 16, 2016

May 16,2016 Joyce was the organist at St Brendan's in Leon for many years. I and my sister, Mildred Keller Bennett wish to add our voices in condolences to all her family . She was an amazing person, everyone loved her, especially. all the people who have enjoyed her love and concern at hospice. Our prayers for her and family!

Dena Forret

May 15, 2016

God's heavenly angels await you Joyce! What a gift you were in people's lives. To the family, my sympathies in your loss. I knew Joyce through her speaking ministry of care to the sick and dying. She will be missed. Dena Forret, St. Boniface Waukee

MELANIE FISHER

May 13, 2016

So happy that she did all of the work to get Hospice Care implemented. A very remarkable woman. My family has used hospice and don't know how we could have managed with out! Thank You-HUGS TO ALL OF HER HOSPICE FAMILY!!

Lisa (Zimmerman) Flyr

May 13, 2016

Your mom was an amazing woman, and I'm so glad I got to know her. You are all in my prayers.

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Memorial Events
for Joyce Hutchison

May

20

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

IA

May

21

Mass of Christian Burial

10:30 a.m.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

IA

Funeral services provided by:

Hamilton's Funeral Home on Westown Parkway

3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266

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