Louise M. (Meloney) Hutchinson

Louise M. Hutchinson, 90, of Hershey, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Sunday, May 30, 2021, at Masonic Village Elizabethtown with her family at her side.

Born in Stroudsburg on January 17, 1931, the daughter of the late Kathryn (Saupp) of Houtzdale and Aaron Franklin Meloney of Avondale, she had a unique young life living in exclusive hotels up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Her diverse upbringing ranged from school in a one room schoolhouse in the Poconos to swimming in the ocean and bike riding in Safety Harbor, Florida and activities in numerous places in between. As a child she read voraciously and participated in all manner of sports – skiing, ice skating, bowling, biking, and sledding. She kept up her interest in sports as an adult with tennis, horseback riding, and biking. Remarkably she biked many miles across Italy in her 70s as part of an elder hostel bike tour. Her lifelong love affair with animals also began in her childhood. During her lifetime she cared for all manner of creatures from dogs to canaries, cats to gerbils and of course horses but she had a particular fondness for Boston Terriers and Kerry Blue Terriers.

A graduate of Stroudsburg High School, Cedar Crest College (B.S. Home Economics) and Marywood University (M.S. Nutrition) Mrs. Hutchinson was a Registered Dietitian, active in her profession as a hospital dietitian, extended care and nursing home consultant, and nursing teacher. She was one of the moving forces behind achieving dietitian licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She herself was licensed and was a member of the American Dietetic Association.

In 1957, Louise married the late Honorable William D. Hutchinson, federal judge, U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals at the time of his death, former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, state legislator, holder of numerous local offices and attorney. Mrs. Hutchinson spent her married life in Schuylkill County raising their children, working as a dietitian, and supporting her husband’s legal and political career. She was the consummate public official’s wife and partner. An accomplished campaigner she traveled across Pennsylvania on her husband’s behalf while raising four children and providing a loving household.  Throughout the time her husband maintained judicial chambers in Pottsville, the couple entertained many young law clerks who came from across the U.S. to work with and learn from her husband.  She helped them acclimate to small town life, if only for a few years before they moved on to further their legal careers throughout the country. Even after her husband’s untimely passing in 1995, Mrs. Hutchinson continued his tradition of hosting an annual clerks’ picnic for his former law clerks.

A volunteer and member of too many nonprofit and church groups to mention (e.g., Eastern Star, United Methodist Women, Law Wives, the Welsh Society, and All Saints’ Episcopal Church of Hershey) she was extremely active in her communities. Widowed after 38 years, she moved to Hershey to be near her family and continue her community involvement with organizations such as the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society, the Hershey Symphony Orchestra where she served on the board of directors, and Penn State Health’s Association of Family and Friends. Mrs. Hutchinson also wrote historical articles for the Hummelstown Sun and was active in New Neighbors. She volunteered for tough assignments like the CONTACT Helpline and tutoring disadvantaged youth in preparation for taking the GED.  One of her proudest accomplishments was completing caring Clown School/Camp in La Crosse, WI and becoming a clown named Lollipop with membership in the Clowns of America International.  Lollipop particularly enjoyed entertaining children in local hospitals. Mrs. Hutchinson also became involved with Penn State Health’s Palliative Care program including meeting with patients and their families.

Mrs. Hutchinson is survived by her children Kathryn M. Barone, wife of Robert, Hummelstown, PA, William D. Hutchinson, Jr., Herndon, VA, Louise S. Hutchinson, widow of Bill Paul, Hummelstown, PA and Andrew F. Hutchinson (Brigadier General, PA Retired), Hershey, PA; grandchildren Sarah Smith wife of Stephen, Bell, FL, Justin Hutchinson and his fiancée Alek Tomazin, Lancaster PA, Teresa A. Barone, Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Michael A. Barone, Hummelstown, PA, and William D. Paul, Hummelstown, PA; great grandchildren Liam and Wyatt Smith. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her great joy! She adored spending time with them and helping them discover new activities, sports, and passions. She was their biggest cheerleader ferrying her children to drill team performances, cross country meets, band concerts and art contests just to name a few. And of course, she reveled in annual family trips to Stone Harbor.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon on Monday, June 7th at Ebling--Stabingas Funeral Home in Cressona, with Pastor John Wallace officiating. A viewing for family and friends will be held 11 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment at Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville.

At Mrs. Hutchinson’s request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Road, Pottsville PA 17901 or to Pancreatic Research at Johns Hopkins University, Ralph H. Hruban, M.D., Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Carnegie 417, Baltimore MD 21287: or visit pathology.jhu.edu/donate