Jean Marie Hutch

After a long and wonderful life our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and very dear friend, Jean Hutch, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on July 6th. Jean was a dedicated nurse, a working mother, and a loving wife of 62 years. Her quick wit, legendary cooking, and love of conversation leave behind a beautiful legacy.

Born in Carmel, Saskatchewan in 1931 to Joseph and Francis Kopp, Jean was the fun-loving, baby of the family. Growing up in Humbolt, Saskatchewan Jean had many joyful adventures with her life-long best friend and cousin, Dusty (Lillian Dust). Jean graduated from Humboldt Collegiate in 1949 and completed her nursing diploma in residence at City Hospital in Saskatoon in 1953. These residence years sparked lifelong friendships that she cherished through decades of reunions with her classmates.

Early in her nursing career, Jean met Jim Hutch in Dodsland, Saskatchewan. However, Jean was drawn to the excitement and opportunity of the big city and moved to Toronto 1953 where she found work at Humber Memorial Hospital the day she arrived, Jim soon followed and they married there 1956. They returned to Saskatoon in 1957 so Jim could pursue an engineering degree. After Jim graduated in 1961, Jean was graced with her own "PhT" degree for "Putting Husband Through."

Soon children followed, Mary Jane in 1962 and David in 1964. By the mid-1960s, the family relocated to Moose Jaw. In 1967, Jean returned to nursing. As a working mom, she instilled a fierce sense of self-reliance and independence in her children, as well as a love of animals and wildlife. If she had an evening shift she would ensure her children came home from school for a hot lunch and a story read by mom from the Readers Digest. Jean found time to join the Toastmaster’s Club to improve her public speaking and impromptu conversation skills. Jean and Jim moved back to Saskatoon in 1983 and Jean continued her career returning to City Hospital until the late 1990’s. 

Jean loved social settings and was comfortable in any crowd. She supported Jim’s work by attending countless social functions, where she honed a talent of being able to talk to anyone. She had a great sense of humor, a quick wit, and was a good listener. Jean was an amazing cook who loved to take on new recipes and prioritized family dinners, holiday meals and entertaining friends at home.

Jean joined Jim on many work trips around the world, enjoying exotic locations, great food, and entertainment. At home, Jean was a creative and active woman. In retirement Jean filled her time with painting, knitting, fitness classes, crafts, scrabble with Jim and friends, gardening, reading, and doting on her beloved cats.

Jean spent the last 3.5 years of her long life in independent living at Hunter Village in Saskatoon where she built a new community around her and leaves behind many friends.

Jean was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Jim; her sisters, Helen Frederick, Margaret Leeuw, and Mary Robinson; and her brothers, Jim and George Kopp. She will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Dorothy Benson; her children, Jane Hutch and David Hutch (Gregg Ambrosi); and her two grandchildren, Maya and Kati.

A Celebration of Life for Jean will be held Friday August 7, 2026, 1:30pm at Aspira Hunter Village 250 Hunter Rd Saskatoon, SK. 

Donations in Jean’s honour can be made to the Saskatoon SPCA or the Canada Parks and Wilderness Society.