Merrillann Hutchinson

Merrillann Hutchinson

Merrillann was warmth and hospitality. Always, "C'mon over. Bring your friends, bring your group! How are you, how'd that thing work out? We have spaghetti, bring a side dish. Do they need bathing suits?"

She grew up in Seattle, her family spent summers at the Lake Sammamish cabin her grandfather built. She was a Roosevelt High School Rough Rider with younger sister Barb, and older brother Sam, where their father, Sam Glass Sr., taught English. Merrillann attended UW School of Nursing and was proud of her long career, specializing in diabetic care and teaching.

After graduation in 1956 she was traveling in Europe when brother Sam, who was teaching in Izmir Turkey, was drafted, and she agreed to take his position. Teaching Turkish students English subjects in Izmir for two years as a single woman in the 50s stoked her adventurous independent spirit, and her enthusiasm both for travel and welcoming those who are far from home. The route to Izmir had been from the west, Oslo, Copenhagen, Rome, Istanbul, so of course the route home to Seattle in 1958 had to be east. Again alone. Delhi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Hawaii.

Back in Seattle, Merrillann married Dave in 1959, the boy across the street. Children followed, Dwight, Paul and Kim. In 1972 they built on Lake Sammamish where the old cabin had been, living next door to her parents, Sam and Ann Glass. Decades of gatherings and celebrations followed, family and friends, in two houses and on the beach, where many a hot dog was roasted over the fire and many songs sung.

Active in church and women's groups, Merrillann (& Dave) grew up and married at University Methodist Temple in Seattle. At 75, wanting a more open belief system and drawn to the mission of social justice, she joined Eastshore Unitarian Church, where she delighted in meeting the community and decorating the sanctuary with the flower committee. Always stylish, she rocked the purple, especially in recent years. Not just clothes, coats, purse, hats, shoes, accessories.

Along the way she (along with Dave) took care of her parents next door, hosted a string of visiting diplomats, business people, and students through the World Affairs Council, taught skiing at Snoqualmie Summit for 15 years, and hosted three German exchange students. For years she taught Tai Chi at the YMCA, then into this year at their retirement community.

Merrillann was a rock. Over the years, through her struggles and yours. Always there, door open. Supporting, encouraging, soothing, excited for your success, interested in your adventures, holding your hand when you stumbled.

She leaves a heartbroken family, the boy across the street, husband of 65 years, Dave, children Dwight, Paul and Kim, nieces, nephews, grandkids, in-laws, and so many friends.

She'd want us to celebrate, and celebrate we will. The time she was with us and the joy of her memory.

Join us at Eastshore Unitarian Church in Bellevue on Saturday August 23 rd at 2:00. Wear purple. "Thanks for coming, honey, (hug) bye now!"