LYDIA HUTCHINS

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Lydia H. Hutchins, RN, 87, beloved mother, sister and grandmother, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Born May 31, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Leonard Hinckley of Milbridge and Grace Ensinger Hinckley of Harrisburg, Pa. Lydia was a graduate of John Harris High School, Class of 1937. She earned her nursing degree in 1940 from Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing, New York City and began her career as a nurse for Harrisburg Hospital where she later was responsible for training nurses’ aides. Upon moving to Maine in 1948, Lydia became the school nurse for Ellsworth until her return to Harrisburg, Pa. She went on to proudly serve as a school nurse for the Harrisburg School District through the late 1960s and ’70s, retiring in 1984. Her early retirement years were spent happily near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., until returning home to Harrisburg, Pa. Raised in Harrisburg, Pa., Lydia always enjoyed living and working there. But she never lost her love for Maine, where as a child she spent her summers on Dyers Island, Milbridge. She often returned to vacation and visit with friends. Lydia will be remembered as a genuine lady with a gracious, loving spirit and strong Christian faith, who deeply loved her children and family and who never stopped being concerned for others. Lydia was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and Memorial Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, Pa. She also belonged to the Congregational Church of Ellsworth. She spent her last years as a resident of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg. Lydia was predeceased by her brothers, Handy S. Hinckley of Prescott, Ariz., and Leonard M. Hinckley of Harrisburg, Pa. She is survived by her loving brother, Willis S. Hinckley of Belfast; and her children, Lydia “Penny” Hardenbrook-Mellish of Vero Beach, Fla., Thomas M. Hutchins of Des Moines, Iowa, Samuel R. Hutchins of Newark, Calif., and Suzanne Hutchins-Cregan of Dublin, Pa.; her nieces, Lucy Hinckley-Hayes, Anne Latwasch and Barbara Hoefsmidt; nephew, Peter Hinckley; and her grandchildren, Charles Steven, Jason, Amanda, Maryann, Angela, Nathan, Tonya, Andre, Jazmine and Timothy. She will be buried in Milbridge. Lydia’s family will gather for a memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Remembrances may be sent to Suzanne Cregan, 153 Moyer Drive, Dublin, PA 18917. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:15.