Joan (Whitney) Hutcheon, 88, of Cornish, NH, passed Friday morning September 30, surrounded by her family.

Joan was born October 12, 1932 in Newport, NH, the daughter of Enid and Robert Whitney. Her early years were spent mostly in Claremont, NH, where she graduated from Stevens High School in 1951. She began her nursing education at Mary Hitchcock Hospital and completed her training at Springfield (MA) Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1955. Her training took place at a time when nurses earned a three-year degree and their responsibilities extended into areas encompassed  by today's nurse practitioners.  As a student, she learned much from her time doing district nursing, which provided an appreciation for the complexities of each patient's situation. She enjoyed bedside nursing and  always brought care that valued the whole person – a care she showed to everyone equally, with dedication, knowledge and selflessness.

Her career started with what was to be a brief stint as a substitute at Claremont General Hospital to help out during a staff shortage. The stint turned into a more than 40-year career as a nurse in her home town. Joan was proud to help start the hospital's recovery room/PACU and to specialize in post-operative care. People often expressed relief that she was the person they could count on seeing and taking care of them after surgery. Some patients were repeatedly in her care over the years. Her presence made it easier for them because they knew her and she knew them.  She retired from nursing in 1998 and retained a keen interest in the field throughout her life. Reading a nursing journal long into retirement, she valued education.  It is no surprise that she encouraged several younger people to get or further their nursing degrees.

On July 21, 1962, Joan was joined in marriage with the love of her life, Charles G. Hutcheon. Joan and Charlie had two children, Kirk and Sarah and the family lived in Claremont and Cornish, with Joan continuing her nursing career and Charles operating the family businesses. Embedded in the medical and business communities, the couple loved the area they called home. They treasured any free time with their extended family and close friends. Outside of work, Joan's lifelong passions were cooking, reading (everything from poetry to mysteries)  and music, particularly jazz and opera. She was a devoted steward of creatures great and small, rescuing or adopting many animals over her lifetime.

The joys of Joan's life were her beloved children. She leaves her son, Kirk, of Cornish; her daughter, Sarah and her partner, Daniel McCormack, of Waltham, MA. She also leaves her brother, Bruce, and his wife, Ruth, of Sanbornton; a niece, Beth, of Exeter; a nephew, Matthew, of State College, PA, and grand nephews, Owen and Jack, also of State College. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, her sister, Deborah Lord, and her parents.

Services were held privately. For those wishing to honor Joan's memory, the family suggests  contributions be made in her name to one of the following:

Cornish Rescue Squad, PO Box 235, Cornish Flat, NH 03746; Fiske Free Library Attn: Michael Grace, 108 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743 (Please note "re: Hutcheon reference works or mysteries" in the check's memo field); River Valley Community College Scholarship Fund. at https://givenhcc.org/where-to-give/rvcc/ or by mailing a check to "Foundation for NHCC" at CCSNH System Office Attn: Tim Allison, 26 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301.  Please reference John L. Hutcheon and RVCC scholarship fund on the check.