PATTY HUTCHINSON

Patty Sue Hutchinson, 83, a 64-year resident of Las Vegas, passed away peacefully Oct. 24, 2016, at home. She was born March 25, 1933, in Springfield, Mo., to Bernie Edwin Armstrong and Macie Wilhemina Gertrude (nee Israel) Armstrong. She was preceded in death by her parents; and older brothers, Horace and Kelly. She is survived by her siblings, Peggy (Don) Swafford, Sharon (Paul) Nahon and Guy (Sharon) Armstrong; her children, Kevin (Nelly) Hutchinson and Karen (Peter) Knox; two grandchildren, Jay Dumas and Katie Saad; and many nephews and nieces. She was always considered the matriarch of the family, as her principal interest was in genealogy. Patty was raised on a dairy farm and attended Pleasant Hope High School, where she enjoyed playing on the basketball team and was the valedictorian in her class. After high school, she moved into Springfield, attended a business school and started her career. In 1952, she met Robert Hutchinson from Marshfield, Mo., and they soon married and moved to Las Vegas, where Bob was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Patty immediately found work in the insurance field and started a family. She and Bob divorced in 1975. Patty had a long and distinguished career in the insurance field. She and John McFadden were co-owners of the successful McFadden Insurance Agency. Patty served as president of Nevada Independent Insurance Agents, as president of Independent Insurance Agents of Southern Nevada and, on two occasions, as president of Insurance Women of Las Vegas. She has received the Woman of the year award from the Insurance Women’s Association of Las Vegas and the Insurance Person of the Year award from the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Institute for Insurance and Risk Management. Patty loved researching family genealogy and spent much of her spare time collecting and discussing information about the Armstrong and Israel family history. She also loved cooking and gardening. Christmas was her favorite season and she went all out decorating the house and buying and wrapping gifts. Having the house full of family for the holidays always made her happy. Memorial services will be at noon Saturday, Nov. 19, at The Lakes Lutheran Church, 8200 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117. Reception to follow. Please consider donating to http ://thelakeslutheran.org or http://www. OpportunityVillage.org in lieu of flowers.