Priscilla Hutchins

Priscilla Bennett Hutchins, 86, of Glendale, faithfully completed her mortal sojourn on October 14, 2013, the very same day she married her sweetheart LaVern Carrol "Hutch" Hutchins, 69 years earlier. She passed peacefully from this life, at home in her own bed, surrounded by her devoted children. Priscilla is preceded in death by her husband Hutch, her parents, three brothers (Dean, Harold, Winsor), a sister (Beebe), and many other loved ones with whom she has anxiously awaited reunion. Priscilla is the fifth child born to Harrison Bennett and Olive Mildred Winsor. She is survived by her four children: Carol Ann Squires (Kurt); Linda Lee Jones; Bruce Bennett Hutchins (Sharon); and Wesley Dean Hutchins (Becky); 18 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

Born into farm life in rural Glendale, Priscilla's mortality was full of adventure. Pris graduated from Glendale High School. As a homemaker, she loved baking, painting, sewing, gardening, traveling, loving her pets, and spending time with beloved family. Mom often consumed the fruits of her gardening labors, like a clove of garlic, or a handful of okra or asparagus, even before she could get them into the house. No adventure was greater than meeting the young U.S. Air Force pilot, Hutch, so handsome in his uniform, who impressed all with his charming good looks and his musical talents. They married on October 14, 1944, and traveled the world together to his various assignments. Whether in Germany, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Montana, Arizona, or the many other homes they created, adventures always followed. Pris and Hutch (but mostly Hutch) loved escaping the scorching Arizona summers to their family cabin on the Poudre River near Fort Collins, Colorado -- plentiful wildlife, fishing, hiking, walks to "the Big Rock," drives through the mountains, bears in the yard, hummingbirds galore, joyous laughter, a few contentious but mostly cordial card games, and excursions to Carol and Kurt's ranch on the Missouri River in Montana, were just a few of the adventures summer months provided. Pris was able to visit their Colorado mountain retreat one final time merely four weeks before her passing.

Priscilla is a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved volunteering her time to the church through compassionate service, working in their Ward library, and lending her talents to many other church callings and pursuits. She found adventure in the gospel, in reading the Bible and especially the Book of Mormon every night before retiring. The crown jewel of her earthly spiritual adventures was witnessing Hutch become a member of the LDS church, and their marriage being sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Finally, Pris has embarked on the greatest adventure of all: the completion of her temporal duties, and her glorious eternal reunion with Hutch and so many loved ones who have gone before.

Viewing from 10:00-10:45 a.m., Saturday, October 19, 2013, at the LDS Church, Glen Lakes Ward Building, 8840 North 61st Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85302; memorial services to follow at 11:00 a.m.; interment at the Resthaven Park Cemetery, following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Humane Society or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.