Susan D. Hutchins

Susan Daulton Hutchins (Suzy) 83, passed away on December 3, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Born Susan Marie Daulton on August 13, 1940, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, to beloved mother Alice (Everitt) Daulton and father, Vincent Daulton. Suzy was the youngest of four sisters (Jane, Nancy, and Diane). Suzy earned a BA in English at Hobart William Smith College where she met lifelong friend Kip O’Neal. After graduating in 1962, Suzy moved to New York City and began her career in advertising on Madison Avenue working at McCann Erickson with another cherished friend, Mary Ann Charleston. With ambitions larger than the corporate world allowed for women at that time, the always tenacious Suzy was soon a top account executive representing international corporations with award winning ad campaigns. The late 1960’s in New York City proved to be exhilarating for this country girl from Pennsylvania as she enjoyed the vibrant life of fun and intellectual pursuits the city offered. Yearning to be a mom and start a family, Suzy met her future husband, Springfield native, Don Hutchins through his Dartmouth College roommate, Don Cowlbeck. Their courtship culminated in a grand and very memorable wedding at the Metropolitan Club on November 28, 1970. Suzy and Don started their married life at the Georgetown Apartments and transitioned to Suzy’s dream house on Longmeadow Street where they raised their three boys—Brendon (1972), Erik (1974), and Ryan (1976). “The big yellow house” on Longmeadow Street became the location for 30 years of birthday parties, Thanksgiving get-togethers and Christmas cheer. Of course, every day of the summer you’d find Suzy at her second home: the Field Club by the pool or learning to play tennis from her talented and dear friend, Ann Boisvert. Suzy loved tennis and was also known for her prowess at bridge, which she played all her life with many close friends including Therese Eiff. Between countless hours making dinners and driving her sons to hockey games, music lessons, and tennis matches, Suzy found time, as a 20-year participant volunteering at Rachel’s Table delivering food to the needy with her friend Wendy Fisher. As if this wasn’t enough, Suzy spent 30 years volunteering for Hospice, helping to take care of people in her community during their final days. In addition to her loving husband and three devoted boys, Suzy’s life was deeply cherished by her niece, Diane McNulty and her nephew, Tom Thimot, whom she treated as if they were her own kids. Missing Suzy will also be daughters-in-law Jessica Friedman Hutchins and Allison Garvey Hutchins; but those who will miss her the most may be her loving grandchildren, Ella, Nina, Luke, Audrey, Madison, Elizabeth and Henry--for every time they were together the connection and love was joyous and palpable. One need only step into her house and see the countless framed photographs of her family--so many it’s hard to fathom--to truly get a glimpse of what made Suzy happiest. Her last words were: “goodnight boys, I love you” which is a testament to her life and the legacy she leaves behind. A life-long Catholic, Suzy with her family attended St Mary’s Church in Longmeadow and later Sacred Heart in Springfield. Suzy Hutchins will be laid to rest in Longmeadow Cemetery. Honoring Suzy’s immense love of cats, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local animal shelter. (Services will be private.) New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Suzy’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.