Maria Hutcheson

Maria Hutcheson

Maria Hutcheson was born on April 6, 1930 in Buttonwillow California, she passed on October 10, 2016 in La Quinta California at the age of 86. Maria was the 9th of 12 children born to Andres and Juanita Medrano Lara who are both predeceased.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Donna N. Tribolet, Lucy N. Barrios, Margarita Nieto, Annie Nieto Garcia and Gloria Nieto. She has five brothers who have also preceded her in death, Ramon Nieto, Richard Nieto, William Nieto, Rego Nieto and Ernest Nieto. Ruben L. Nieto of Oro Valley, Arizona is her sole surviving brother and the last member of her family. Maria did not have any children; she is survived by 25 nieces/nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces/nephews.

She was married to Gerald A. "Buzz" Kiefer from 1960 to 1976, he is deceased. He was a master craftsman and business owner, they had a home in Utah and often hunted together.

Maria was also married to Thomas S. Hutcheson MD from 1980 to 2002, he is also predeceased. He was a local doctor, they traveled a lot and loved to golf.

She lived in several cities in California while she was young, her family migrated with the crops in California. They lived in Kern, Orange and Los Angeles Counties before settling down in the Coachella Valley in the late 1930's. Her father Andres started growing crops, I was told that he grew the first tomatoes crops here in the Coachella Valley.

Maria went to various schools in California and attended Coachella Valley High School. She worked in retail, flower shops, medical offices and volunteered at JFK Memorial Hospital. After she married she became a house wife and was active with the Special Olympics of the Desert, she golfed and attended many social functions at Bermuda Dunes Country Club where she lived with her husband Tom.

Maria was blessed with both inner and outer beauty. Her charismatic charm was warm and genuine, she was loved by all.

She loved animals, flowers, the color yellow and especially loved everything butterflies. You could often spot her wearing a butterfly blouse and her butterfly sun glasses. She was elegant and sophisticated, she was a unique individual who gave her love to all she touched.

Maria was very spiritual, she was a serious reader and read her scriptures daily. She was a breast cancer survivor who was not afraid of what life had to offer and faced all challenges. She was prepared and ready for the end of life in this world and her transition into her new life, just like a butterfly! Her affairs were all in order and she celebrated her last birthday with family this past April, she said this would be her last. She wrote this passage for all to remember her by.

Afterglow

"I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down ways of happy times and bright sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before too long and cherish the very special memories to which I belong".

Maria

We will miss her beauty, her hugs and kisses. May she rest in peace and may the Lord look after her.

The family will be holding a "Celebration of Life" this Saturday October 22, 11:00 AM at the home of her niece Norma and her husband Inez Garcia. Please call Margaret Nieto for more information, 760-799-2391

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: desertsun.com/obituaries.