Yvonne Doris Chanatry Hutchinson

Yvonne Doris Chanatry Hutchinson passed away peacefully in Naples, Florida on October 3, 2024. Born in Utica, New York, Yvonne was the youngest of six children, a proud first-generation American descendant of the Syrian Chanatry and Gharbia families. Her parents, Raymond and Margaret (Bahia) Chanatry, instilled in her a profound sense of patriotism and a love for her cultural heritage. After graduating from Proctor High School in 1951, Yvonne, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1955, which was quite an achievement for a woman at that time. Her early career at General Electric as a Statistical Analyst was not only professionally fulfilling but also serendipitous, as it was there that she met her beloved husband, Eugene Hutchinson. Their marriage on May 21, 1966, at St. Basil Catholic Church in Utica, was a joyous union that would last until Eugene's passing in 2020. Yvonne's role as a homemaker was one she cherished deeply, especially after the birth of their three sons, Bart, Doug, and Luke, whom she often referred to as the most significant events in her life. Her dedication to her family was unwavering, and she later returned to the workforce to assist in the family business as the Secretary and Treasurer of Chanatry's Culver Avenue Market, contributing to its success and legacy. Yvonne's interests were as vast as her intellect. She was an avid reader, with a particular fondness for historical and fine art museums, architecture, and natural geological formations. She and Eugene enjoyed a love of travel, which included long road trips across the United States extending as far as Alaska. They also traveled frequently abroad which included destinations across Europe, and Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Russia, and China. Her volunteer work reflected her commitment to the community and the arts. Yvonne was an active member and docent at the Munson Williams Proctor Institute in Utica and volunteered at Artis-Naples, home of the Naples Philharmonic and Baker Museum. She also dedicated time to the Oneida County and Collier County Historical Societies, Palm Cottage in Naples, and the Landmark Society in Utica. Her faith was an integral part of her life, as she was a communicant of St. Basil in Utica and St. William in Naples, Florida. Yvonne's legacy is carried on by her loving children, Bart of Washington, DC, Doug of Seattle, WA, and Luke (Kerry) of La Verkin, UT, and her cherished grandchildren, Sam of Arlington, VA, Katie of Washington, DC, and Ruby of UT. She also leaves behind her beloved sisters-in-law, Carol and Betty, as well as her exceptional nieces and nephews, Dr. Julie Chanatry of Clinton, NY, Yvonne (Paul) Cheshire of Arlington, VA, and Ray Chanatry (Doug Brown) of New Hartford, NY. Her special Hallak, Byrne, and Kowack nieces and nephews will also hold her memory dear. Yvonne was predeceased by her siblings, Louis, Dr. Francis, Alfred, Albert, Elvira, and sister-in-law Norma Chanatry, as well as her Hallak relatives and Kowack and Byrne in-laws. She held a special place in her heart for her Gharbia grandparents and her exceedingly special Uncle Joseph Gharbia. Relatives and friends are invited to Yvonne's Divine Liturgy at St. Basil Catholic Church, 901 Sherman Dr, Utica, on Saturday October 19, at 1p.m. Interment will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Yvonne's memory to St. Basil Catholic Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI. Envelopes will be available at the church. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvonne Doris, please visit our floral store.