CHARLESTOWN, NH – Florence Letitia “Tish” Hutchins of Charlestown, NH, aged 91, passed away on July 25, 2024 after a period of declining health. She was born in Lynn, MA on August 18, 1932 to Ralph and Grace Foss Hutchins and was raised in Peabody, MA. Following graduation from Peabody High School in 1949, Tish enlisted in the US Air Force, where she remained for 22 years. Her assignments included AF bases in Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, Colorado, New York, Nebraska, and Germany. She retired in 1972 as a Master Sergeant.
Tish was very proud of her years of military service and loved telling anyone who would listen about her travels and adventures, especially of her time stationed in Germany. When she was on leave, she would visit her sister Marion Bascom, husband Horace and their growing family on the farm in Charlestown, NH. Marion loved these visits, which gave her a much needed change from days of the hard work and long hours of farm life. The kids were in awe of their Auntie Tish with her stories of places she’d been, her energy, and always her jokes. She had a great laugh!
After discharge from the Air Force, Tish returned to Peabody to live in her parent’s home, and assist her Mom in caring for her Dad, until his death. In 1976 she had a home built in Charlestown, NH to be near her sister, and to provide a comfortable and loving home for their Mom, and for their brother, Bob. She worked part-time for the Charlestown Town Clerk for about three years, a good way to get to know the people in her new hometown. Tish was instrumental in helping Marion relocate from the farm to a new home across the street from her.
Everyone who knew Tish knew she could be independent and stubborn. They also knew that she had a big and generous heart. She was a helper and caregiver for family members and was especially kind to grand-nieces and grand-nephews when they needed a helping hand; the “Santa Claus” for her nephews and nieces for many Christmases; a lover of animals, especially cats; a longtime member of the Charlestown Senior Center; a maker of delicious desserts for family and friends; a giver of beautiful flower arrangements she created from her many gardens; an active member of the Charlestown Historical Society for many years. Although not an official Bascom, Tish attended and enjoyed many Bascom Family Reunions over the years, often providing gallons of her own fruit punch.
Tish was predeceased by her parents, her sister and best friend Marion, her sister Mary, and her brother Robert. She is survived by her seven nephews and nieces: Donald and his wife Henrietta of Prattville, AL; Dean and his wife Donna of Charlestown, NH; Susan and her husband Larry Dorr of Kensington, NH; Richard and his wife Jeanne Kennedy of Sunapee, NH; James and his wife Angela of St. Augustine, FL; Kathleen McCarron and her husband Peter of Lunenburg, MA; and Mary Jane Solomon and her husband Robert of Kensington, NH. She is also survived by many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Tish will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. The family is grateful for all the kindnesses, big and small, shown to her by the staff of Sullivan County Health Care, Unity NH, in the past two years.
Family and friends will gather for a memorial service and to share favorite memories and photos of Tish at the Senior Center, 223 Old Springfield Road, Charlestown, NH 2:00 – 5:00 pm on August 24th. A private family burial will be held at the Pinecrest Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Charlestown NH Historical Society, the Springfield VT Humane Society, or charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.
