Obituary of Eleanor Jane Hutchinson

Eleanor Jane Hutchinson, a talented quilter, passed away after a short illness on Friday, February 16, 2018. She was 80 years old. Eleanor was born in Arlington, the only child of Arthur and Doris Carlson. She grew up in Arlington and was a 1955 graduate of Arlington High School. She furthered her education at Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH where she earned her Associates Degree. She met her husband Dave, a 1954 Arlington High graduate, while attending Trinity Baptist Church. They were married in October of 1959 and purchased their home in Burlington in 1960. She remained home when her children were growing up and when they were settled in school she went back to work as a Medical Secretary in the office of Dr. Leonard Dress in Lexington. She found her work rewarding and remained with Dr. Dress’s office for 20 years. Eleanor had a number of interests and activities. She was a long time member of the social group, TOPS and Burlington Quilters. She was extremely talented. She loved sewing and made some of her own and her daughters outfits over the years. She enjoyed knitting and made mittens and hats for her children as well as for the neighborhood children. She also enjoyed tole painting. Her favorite hobby was quilting and enjoyed getting together with friends making quilting projects and comfort quilts. She loved working on intricate patterns and would spend hours and hours working on her creations which she proudly displayed in her home or gave to family and friends. She loved animals and over the years she has had the traditional pets of cats, dogs, and fish, but then not so traditional pets like rabbits, ducks, and even goats. She loved spending time at her vacation home in Jackson, NH and taking her children to the beach in Gloucester. Her husband Dave was a very active member of the Masons and Shriners. She traveled all over the country for Dave’s Shriner’s events, parades, and fundraisers and made many long-lasting friendships. Eleanor was the beloved wife of David Hutchinson for 58 years. She was the loving and caring mother of Sandra Jane Hutchinson of Arlington and David Arthur Hutchinson, Jr. of Sandown, NH and his wife Eileen. She supported them in their interests, sports, activities, and education. She always encouraged them to reach for their dreams. Eleanor loved being grandmother to her 2 grandsons; Matthew and Owen Hutchinson. She loved having them visit and loved watching and hearing about their sports and activities. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 25 at 12:30 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side). Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Memorials in Eleanor’s name may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 or www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/boston.