IRVINGTON—Judith Kay Hutchinson Epps, 77, passed away quietly on Saturday, August 8, at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, with her loving husband of 55 years, Pete Epps, at her side.
Judy was born in Washington, D.C., on July 27, 1943.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius Carlyle Hutchinson and Maxwell Broaddus Hutchinson of Irvington; her sister, Patricia Hutchinson Bevard of Troutman, N.C.; her maternal grandparents, Harry and Maggie Broaddus of Irvington; and her paternal grandparents, Ernest and Mariah Hutchinson of Antipoison Neck near White Stone.
In addition to her husband Pete, Judy is also survived by her three children: daughter, Jennifer Epps Norman (Lee) of Quinton; son, Brian Epps (Jenny) of Sandy Hook; and son, Scott Epps of Richmond. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Grant Norman, Riley Norman and Kelsey Epps, all of the Richmond area; as well as her sister, Jeanne Hutchinson Rose (Lacy) of the White Stone area.
Judy, known as “Hutch” to her many classmates, graduated Washington Lee High School in Arlington in 1961, then earned her undergraduate degree in nursing (BSN) from the University of Virginia School of Nursing in 1965. In 1984, she received her master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) from the Medical College of Virginia, which allowed her to continue her lifelong passion of educating young nursing students. She taught at Stuart Circle Hospital, J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, VCU Hospital, and finally at Southside Regional Medical Center School of Nursing in Petersburg before retiring in 2007.
Hutch loved teaching those young students and watching them grow into their nursing roles. She would tell them “Nursing isn’t a profession; it’s a way of life.” Other nursing ventures included Home Health with the Virginia Department of Health, St. Mary’s Hospital, Virginia Blood Service and Richmond Memorial Hospital.
After retirement, Hutch and Pete moved to the Northern Neck. She spent a good portion of her youth in Irvington with her maternal grandparents, so this area was very special to her. In retirement, she enjoyed quilting, boating, golf and spending time with her grandchildren. Being a grandmother was her greatest joy in life.
Judy was a member of Three Chopt Presbyterian Church in Richmond for over 30 years. After retirement, she became an active member of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Weems. She was an avid golfer and a member of Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club where she enjoyed golfing with the Nine Hole Ladies group.
A memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or to the RWC Parkinson’s Support Group.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
