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Gilda M. Hutchinson

Gilda M. Hutchinson

Gilda M. Hutchinson, 94, of Dunkirk died Wednesday afternoon (July 11, 2018) at home.

She was born Dec. 6, 1923 in Hershey, Pa., the daughter of the late Dominic and Veneranda (Dilenardo) Tulli.

An area resident for most of her life, Mrs. Hutchinson received a bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. She then taught at Taneytown High School before earning a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin in 1947. She also completed graduate courses at Columbia University in New York City.

She was a professor of English at Fredonia State University College, where she met her husband, George Hutchinson, who was a student in her class.

Active in the community, Mrs. Hutchinson served on the Dunkirk Board of Education and the Fredonia State University College Council. She was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and a member of its Women’s Auxiliary. An ardent member of the Democratic Party, she was known for writing well-reasoned letters to the editor in the OBSERVER. She also belonged to the Fredonia Toastmasters Club and the Shakespeare Club.

Mrs. Hutchinson loved playing bridge and was a Life Master. She also enjoyed reading, cooking and baking.

Survivors include six children, Mary (Steve) Milan of Charlotte, NC, Julia Hutchinson and Nancy Hutchinson, both of Dunkirk; Loren (Karen) Hutchinson of Bluffton, SC, Matthew (Colleen) Hutchinson of Dunkirk and John (Sheri) Hutchinson of Minneapolis, MN; nine grandchildren, Leah, John, Sarah, Katie, Matt, Ryan, Zachary, Sean and Nina; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Hutchinson, who died Jan. 25, 1999; five brothers, Nicholas, Vetro, Frank, Albert and Anthony Tulli; and three sisters, Jenny Galinac, Vienna Tulli and Nora Linardi.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated this morning at 10 o’clock in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.