Josephine H. Hutcheson

Josephine (Jodie) Hutcheson (nee Hamill) peacefully passed away at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Pennsylvania, among her family on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Muriel Hamill (nee Smith). Jodie grew up in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, and later in the suburb of Glenside. She was a graduate of Abington High School and the University of Delaware, where she majored in education.  She and her husband of 60 years, the late Walter Hutcheson III, started their married lives together in Bernkastel-Kues, Germany, where they lived for three years before returning to the States. The couple then lived in Syracuse, New York for three years before settling in West Chester, Pennsylvania for the next forty-five. They spent their final years together in Ocean City, New Jersey. Jodie lived the final months of her life at the Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honeybrook, Pennsylvania, after Walt’s passing.

During her years in Germany and Syracuse, Jodie taught elementary school. After her move to Pennsylvania, she retired from teaching to raise a family, but remained active in her childrens’ schools as an aide. She was also active in the West Chester Planters Garden Club, and eventually became Assistant District Director for the Pennsylvania Federation of Garden Clubs. Jodie imparted her flower arranging and floral presentation knowledge in lectures and workshops, and eventually began a small flower-arranging business. In 1983, she became a Christian and led church and CBS Bible Studies for adults and children.

Jodie’s outgoing personality lit up the room. She loved hosting parties for family and friends, and loved music and dancing even more. She had a deep love for her many pets, especially her cats and dogs. She meticulously curated a rock garden from which she would cultivate the flora for her award-winning flower arrangements. Though her support of Philadelphia sports teams was not rabid, it was steadfast and true. Though her fashion sense was exquisite and timeless, it was also uniquely hers. Her love of family was unbounded, as it was for the friends to which she ministered and for which she cared. Her love and devotion to the Lord was unparalleled. Her infectious laugh and the sparkle in her eye will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her sons, Walter W. Hutcheson IV and his wife Elizabeth Chase, David J. Hutcheson and his wife Stacy Sutton Hutcheson; her brothers, James W. Hamill and his partner Barbara Kenney, Raymond L. Hamill and his wife Donna Tyson Hamill; her grandchildren, Walter Hutcheson V,  Elyse Hutcheson, Henry Hutcheson, Kathrine Hutcheson Matej and her husband David Matej.

A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held at Praise Tabernacle Church, 2235 Ocean Heights Ave, Egg Harbor Township NJ on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00am. Reception to follow at the venue. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jodie’s memory can be made to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief at https://www.samaritanspurse.org