Jean K. Hutchinson

Auburn - Jean K. Hutchinson, 91, of Auburn, passed away on Tuesday March 26, 2013, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice with her family by her side. She was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick on October 15, 1921, the daughter of the late P. Granville Keirstead and Hazel Talbot. Jean attended local schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in the class of 1940. She went on to Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in Lewiston, becoming a registered nurse in 1943. Shortly after graduation, she joined the Army Nurse Corps and, as a member of the 221st General Hospital Unit, proudly served her nation in Europe during WW II. Following the war, she returned home and on October 24, 1945, she married the love of her life, Alton Hutchinson. Together they worked and raised their young family in the Lewiston-Auburn area until Alton’s untimely death in 1964. She continued working in the healthcare profession as a private duty nurse and for AHHS. She attended St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn for many years and was also a member of the Alumni Association of CMMC. In recent years, she enjoyed knitting and fussing over her cat. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers: Kenneth Keirstead and Ronald Keirstead. Jean is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Janice and Wayne Welshans of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Nancy and Douglas Rogers of Auburn, Dawna and William Larkin of Auburn; nine grandchildren: Teri Welshans Vineyard, Heather Welshans Dollard, Gretchen Welshans Herman, John Welshans, Joshua Rogers, Kimberly Rogers Teret, Matthew Larkin, Sara Larkin, Benjamin Larkin; and twelve great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Isabel and Alexander Vineyard; Kayli and Meara Dollard; Zakory, Kelob and Meghan Herman; Sylvan and Ember Rogers; Kaya and Phoenix Teret. Family was Jean’s greatest joy in life. She will be deeply missed and remembered with love by all of them. Her family expresses deep gratitude to the staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the loving care they gave Jean.

Funeral Services will be held at The Fortin Group / Plummer Merrill Funeral Home in Auburn, on Saturday at 11 AM. Committal Services will be held later in the spring at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to: CMGH/CMMC College of Nursing Alumni, 70 Middle St., Lewiston, ME 04240. A Service of The Fortin Group / Plummer Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, Me. 04210. 783-8545.