Glenice Mae Caton Hutchins was born August 4, 1931, in Durham Maine, and passed to the next world on June 23, 2012. Her spirit lives on in her family and friends, her influence continues in the spirits she is touching in the new world.

Mere words cannot explain the life, love, influence and inspiration of my mother, Glenice Hutchins. Although she no longer walks this earth in human form, her spirit continues to walk with me daily, reminding me of her mission, her teachings and her own inner peace. From her lifelong belief in a strong education to her deep-rooted spirituality, she was and will always be my strength, my reason and my focus. She is the reason I continue to educate myself in all things, my reason for believing in God and my belief in a better life through inner peace. It was not until she passed away that I was finally able to see the woman she was, what she meant to others and how she changed the world, one blessing at a time, quietly and without fanfare. I was blessed to be her daughter, and I will live the rest of my life trying to fulfill her life’s mission.

She grew up in Durham, Maine, where she was active in Durham Friends Meeting Sunday School and Youth Group, and Falmouth Junior Quarterly Meeting. She began her spiritual journey on a farm one mile from the Durham Friends meeting. Always a Quaker she embodied compassion, courage and grace, truly loving others non-judgmentally and peacefully. She lived a life of frugality, simplicity and integrity. She was an inspiration to those who knew her and she lived her faith, knowing she was a disciple of God’s kingdom. She lived the present moment and enjoyed every phase of her life.

Glenice graduated from Lisbon High School and Fisher College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in 1970, and her Master’s in 1978.

Glenice lived and worked for others. She taught elementary school in Falmouth for twenty-three years. Her students loved her, as she loved them. After retirement she worked as a part-time receptionist at Cedars Nursing Care Center in Portland from 1993 to 2012. She had a strong commitment to education and never stopped learning, attending the lifelong learning (OLLLIE) classes at the University of Southern Maine after her retirement. She encouraged others in their education as well, buying all the books for her grandchildren’s’ further education. She was also a member of the College Club of Portland, which awards scholarships to local young women.

She was a member of United Teaching Profession, Falmouth Education Association, Maine Teachers Association, National Education Association, and Falmouth Historical Society. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society as a Reach-to-Recover volunteer after her first breast cancer surgery, and for the Committee for Living with Cancer Conference held yearly in Augusta. She also volunteered for the Salvation Army, correcting Bible study lessons for prisoners.

While living in Falmouth she was active in Portland Friends Meeting, serving as Clerk (1965-66 & 1978-79) and on Ministry and Counsel and the Finance Committee. Falmouth Quarterly Meeting was very important to her; she was Clerk of Ministry and Counsel (1973-1976). She served the United Society of Friends Women of the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends as Stewardship Secretary. And she was active in New England Yearly Meeting, serving on the Equalization Fund Committee from 1982-1988 and the Student Loan Committee (1994-1997). In the last years of Glenice’s life, she returned to Durham Friends Meeting where she served as clerk of Ministry and Counsel and on the Library Committee.

Glenice will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughters, Beth Anne King and Donna J. Ross and her son Bradley Carl Hutchins. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years,Wendell W. Hutchins; she is also survived by her partner of 12 years Albert Anderson, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Her memorial service was held June 26, 2012, at Durham Friends Meetinghouse.