Patricia McHugh Hutchinson

1943 - 2025

Patricia McHugh Hutchinson, 81

Pat went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2025.

She was born on November 3, 1943 in Buckley, Washington, second child to Maybelle Julia Gervais and Patrick Fredrick McHugh.

After her mother's death Pat and her two brothers were raised by their Aunt Irene and Uncle Brooks Payne. Pat graduated from Bishop Dennis J O'Connell, high school in Arlington, VA in 1962. After which she went on to nursing school at De Paul 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 to work 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 on November 2nd, 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 Post Master position to the remote community of Tok, AK. 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 on a number of community organizations and on teaching her sons the many ways that you could live off the land.

In 2001 Pat and Dean relocated to Plummer, ID 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 started in Alaska and continued in Plummer, a demonstration to their sons that loving your neighbor was something that would bring joy to not just those in need, but to yourself 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 Florida, and Richard A Hutchinson (wife Ashley) of Greenville North Carolina, and grandchildren William Dean and Addison Grace, and a large family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.



Funeral service will be Friday, October 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Yates Funeral Home at 744 N. 4th Street, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Interment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery. Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home. On-line registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.