MIRIAM HUTCHINS

Miriam T. Hutchins, of Appleton, age 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Cherry Meadows Hospice. She was born December 13, 1921 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Ralph and Flora (Defnet) Thomas. Miriam met Farley Hutchins in college in Wisconsin. They were married in New York and remained married until Farley died in 2010, nearly seventy years later. Survivors include her son, Ken Hutchins; three grandchildren: Rachel, Madeleine, and Robert; three great-grandchildren: Innis, Delphi, and Matilda; four nieces: Becky Fleischman, Patricia Burke, Susan Berzill, Mary Thomas; two nephews: John Schroeder, and Chip Thomas. Miriam was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Thomas; a sister, Gwyneth Schroeder; and a son, Thomas Hutchins. Miriam's life was characterized by great humor and resilience, and by humanistic endeavor. As a teacher of stringed instruments, she worked in the public schools of Akron,Ohio at all levels. In these schools, she touched the lives of thousands of children. She also taught privately, especially using the Suzuki Method that she had learned from the famous Suzuki himself. The social aspect of her work interested her intensely, for many of her pupils were underprivileged and they came from families of all colors and religious backgrounds. She loved her pupils, and they returned her love. Miriam was also active as a musician, playing the viola in the Akron Symphony and in other contexts. Miriam's favorite story about herself was the bicycle trip with Farley from Wisconsin to New York. This life-changing adventure led into marriage and the births of two sons, Thomas in Mississippi and Kennan in Ohio, as well as an expanded view of the world that included very good lessons in music and painting. Into her very last days, Miriam painted and considered what to do with unfinished projects or new pictures. Her work was often shown and sold, but it was the creative process itself that fascinated her, and in her area of creativity, she became quite expert. Miriam will be sorely missed by those who loved her, and they were many. Miriam was cremated and her urn will be placed with her husband in Riverside Cemetery in Appleton. A private family service will be held.