Shirley J. (Bleich) Hutchinson, 90, longtime resident of Southborough, MA, passed away in her sleep on Friday, February 10th.
Born on November 4th, 1932, to Ernest and Katherine (Taylor) Bleich in Rome, NY. Mrs. Hutchinson was raised in Ashland, MA by her mother and step-father Timothy O’Leary in Ashland, MA. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1947 and trained to become a beautician.
Mrs. Hutchinson was predeceased by her husband, Charles, in 1982. The couple wed on April 18, 1954, at the Federated Church in Ashland. Two years later, they moved to Southville Road, Southborough, where they remained, raising two sons and a daughter. Mrs. Hutchinson remained a resident of Southborough until her move to Beaumont – Whitney Place, Northborough, MA. four years ago.
Shirley had a career as a hairdresser and worked in retail and textiles. A talented amateur painter, she continued working in acrylic and watercolor into her late eighties. She was also an avid gardener and animal lover, who could always be found outside when the sun was shining. Mrs. Hutchinson was also an active member of the Women’s Fellowship of the First Community Church of Southborough throughout her years.
Mrs. Hutchinson is survived by sons Mark and wife Janice (Taylor) of Framingham, Gary of Uxbridge, MA, and daughter Darcy Hilbert of Southborough. She was predeceased by grandson Jason Hutchinson. She is survived by grandsons Christopher and Jeffrey Hutchinson, Justin Hutchinson, and Tyler and Mitchell Hilbert, as well as several great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 17th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Morris-Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772. A funeral service will be held at the First Community Church of Southborough, 137 Southville Road, Southborough, MA 01772 on Saturday, February 18th at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Rd., Southborough, MA
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at P.O Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
