Marjorie Sue Hutensky

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, Marjorie Hutensky, 82, on Saturday, January 13th, 2024, ending her long journey with dementia. She was the daughter of the late Mollie (Kaplan) Goldberg and Herman Goldberg of Oak Park, Illinois, where she was born and raised. Upon graduating from her local high school, Marge attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she pursued a degree in speech pathology. It was at the University of Michigan where she met a young University of Michigan School of Dentistry student from Middletown, Connecticut, Harold Hutensky, whom she wed a month shy of her 20th birthday. A year and a half after the wedding, while still in Ann Arbor, she became a mom to Mark. Two years later, after the family had relocated to Manchester, Connecticut, she became mom to Beth. After another two years and settling the family in South Windsor, Connecticut, she became a mom for the final time when Ilana was born.

It was in South Windsor where Mom raised her family, built strong friendships, involved herself in local politics, and became a vibrant member of the Temple Beth Hillel community. While the kids were young, she was elected to the South Windsor Board of Education, where she served as its chairperson for several years.

Mom had a beautiful singing voice and filled our house with music and song. She took every opportunity to be involved with local theater groups throughout her life. One of Mom's greatest joys was being able to combine her love of singing with her love for Temple Beth Hillel. As the cantor for many years, she taught music in the Sunday School and helped the rabbi lead the congregation during Shabbat, High Holidays and cycle of life events.

Mom was smart, funny, passionate, compassionate, and just a wee bit unconventional. She led with her heart. She never passed up an opportunity to sing or get out on the dance floor. She was a so-so bridge player, and worse at tennis and golf, but she enjoyed getting out there and playing. Her zest for life and adventure was such that for her fiftieth birthday she requested a new bicycle, even though she had very little experience riding a bike. At fifty-five, she decided to join us for the Thanksgiving Manchester Road Race, even though she was definitely not a runner. She sculpted, doodled, and played viola. She could identify any bird or flower. Her appreciation for nature's beauty was remarkable. She stopped and smelled every rose, even if it made her late; which, by the way, she infuriatingly always was. Her compassion for furry creatures was unparalleled. No stray orphaned or injured animal had to worry with Mom around. She took great enjoyment and pride in her grandchildren, and always carried a booklet of photos of the grandkids in her purse to pull out to show someone if the opportunity presented itself. She also may very well have set the world record for number of times a person can lose their car keys in a single lifetime (or a single day!).

It would be an understatement to say that Mom marched to the beat of her own drummer. But her idiosyncratic ways and that big heart on her sleeve, is what endeared her to so many. Every person who knew Mom has at least one "Marge Story" to tell. It is usually told at Mom's expense, but is also usually pretty funny, and Mom would laugh along too. She taught us the significance of a handwritten note; that if you really want to get someone's attention, use their middle name; that if you want something sweet to eat, you should bake it yourself from scratch (and lick the bowl afterwards); that cookie crumbs don't have calories; and the importance of carrying on family traditions. Most of all, mom taught us that a mother's love has no bounds, no equal, and can not be robbed by disease.

Besides her parents, Marge was pre-deceased by her brother, Louis Goldberg, her brother, David Goldberg, her brother, John Goldberg, and her son-in-law, Jim McCabe. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son, Mark David (Stacy) Hutensky of West Hartford, Connecticut, and their children, Jordan Hutensky (Rachael Vonada) and Jenna (Jake) Gregory; her daughter Beth McCabe of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and her children, Jack McCabe and Lauren McCabe; her daughter Ilana "Lani" (Dan) Cathcart of Avon, Connecticut and their children, Hayden Cathcart, Eve Cathcart, and Maris Cathcart; her sister, Judith Carol Day of Sante Fe, New Mexico; her sister-in-law, Laurel Goldberg of Wisconsin, her former husband, Dr. Harold (Dorian) Hutensky of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

We are eternally grateful for the amazing staff of 2 South at The Hebrew Center in West Hartford, who have been so respectful, kind and caring to Mom during her journey with dementia. They are everyday heroes who perform a difficult job with grace and endless compassion.

Those wishing to honor Marge's memory by supporting a cause close to her heart may consider donating to the Connecticut Humane Society, www.cthumane.org and/or the Bring Them Home Now campaign of The Hostages and Missing Families Forum (https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/110680)

A graveside service will be in the Beth Olam Cemetery, 71 Edith Road, South Windsor, CT, 06074, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 12 pm with a luncheon to follow at a location to be announced at the cemetery. Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor has care of the arrangements. To leave a condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com