Barbara Neff HUTCHISON
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Barbara Neff HUTCHISON

  • November 6, 1939 - January 22, 2012
  • Marquette, Michigan
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“Ira, It was an honor to know and care for Barbara. She was truly a beautiful person. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all. ...Read More » ”
1 of 37 | Posted by: Jennifer Thompson - MI

“She is a lady in Marquette, Michigan She treats us with apples and bananas She is nice to birds and flowers She has not been to Shangarila, Ithaca...Read More » ”
2 of 37 | Posted by: River Lin - Shanghai

“Ira and family You don't know me, I am Roberta Henderson, Sah's cousin. I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to all of you.. So hard to...Read More » ”
3 of 37 | Posted by: Sharon Hart - Knox, ND

“dear ira and family, i only knew barb for the last 2 1/2 yrs. but she welcomed me into her heart as if we had been friends forever. her laugh was...Read More » ”
4 of 37 | Posted by: sue demel - chicago, IL

“Ira and family, Barbara was a wonderful person and friend and I was honored to have known her...my thoughts are with you and your family. She was...Read More » ”
5 of 37 | Posted by: Susie Bryson - Whittier, NC

“Ira I am sorry I was never blessed in knowing Barbra personally but I did enjoy your stories of her. As time heals your heart may your wonderful...Read More » ”
6 of 37 | Posted by: Kathy Enright - MI

“Dear Ira and Family, Knowing Barbara has made a huge impact on my life. Her 'living large like lions,'as seen through the eyes of a grandchild, was...Read More » ”
7 of 37 | Posted by: Debbie Kiefer - Mqt., MI

“The most beautiful obituary for a beautiful, remarkable woman. I have known Barbara for only a few years in study club and have enjoyed every minute...Read More » ”
8 of 37 | Posted by: Suzanne Gephart - Marquette, MI

“Barb was a great blessing in my life. Her radiant joy will stay with me and I pray that her children and Ira feel God's comfort during this time. ”
9 of 37 | Posted by: Jill Fries - Marquette, MI

“Ira, My deepest Sympathies, prayers and thoughts go out to you. I know that Barbara fought the good fight. I believe that God was just ready to...Read More » ”
10 of 37 | Posted by: Linda Smith - Marquette, MI

“I always felt like Barbara was my big sister. We danced together and laughed together and went to concerts and workshops together. What a free and...Read More » ”
11 of 37 | Posted by: Shanti Rose - Marquette, MI

“Lisa and family, It was great to see your mother's likeness in Lisa and to know that she lives on through her children and grandchildren. I know...Read More » ”
12 of 37 | Posted by: Betsy Crais - Chapel Hi;;, NC

“Dear Lisa and Family, All of us who work with Lisa here at UNC are thinking of you all and your family at this time, and keeping you in our prayers. ”
13 of 37 | Posted by: Cara McComish - Chapel Hill, NC

“To all the family.... We are so sorry for your loss. There is no pain like the loss of a loved one. But we rejoice with you also that you do not...Read More » ”
14 of 37 | Posted by: Ina Diana - Mebane, NC

“So sorry for your loss--I'll be with you in my thoughts ”
15 of 37 | Posted by: Mickey Hutchison - Louisville, KY

“Barbara has been a dear spiritual friend to me through my life. She was an angel among us. I am so sad that she is gone. I keep you all in my prayers. ”
16 of 37 | Posted by: Robin Whitley - Sylva, NC

“Barbara was the most graceful and loving person I have ever known. During my short stay in Marquette, she and Ira treated me as their Chinese son....Read More » ”
17 of 37 | Posted by: Victor Yu - Shanghai

“We have never read a more beautiful obituary, full of love and tenderness--a real tribute to Barb and the loving, joyous life she lived. We were...Read More » ”
18 of 37 | Posted by: Caryl and Bob Bournique - NM

“Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Barbara will be greatly missed. She was a wondeful gift to all of us. Cam ”
19 of 37 | Posted by: Cam and Sandy - Marquette, MI

“We loved you, Barbara, and will miss your wonderful smile and tender heart. ”
20 of 37 | Posted by: Corine C. Liebert - Louisville, KY

“Ira, My deepest prayers and sympathy are with you and your family at the loss of Barbara. She was my yoga class mate. She will be deeply missed. ...Read More » ”
21 of 37 | Posted by: Linda Meldrum - Marquette, MI

“Dear Ira and Family, I was just informed of your great loss and am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. Barbara was a great and...Read More » ”
22 of 37 | Posted by: Trina (Wiggins) Temples - NC

“Dear Ira and Family, I was just informed of your great loss and am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. Barbara was a great and...Read More » ”
23 of 37 | Posted by: Trina (Wiggins) Temples - NC

“Ira, May the many wonderful memories of your years with Barbara bring you peace and joy. Your friends and colleagues at Northern have you and...Read More » ”
24 of 37 | Posted by: Harvey Wallace - Marquette, MI

“What a beautiful memorial. I never met Barbara, but must say the incredible spirit portrayed in her obituary echoes in her daughter, Beth, and her...Read More » ”
25 of 37 | Posted by: ~ Beth Morphis - Winston-Salem, NC

“My thoughts and prayers are continually with you. Love, Carol ”
26 of 37 | Posted by: Carol L. Simpson - Marquette, MI

“Love, prayers, and condolences are sent to each of you as you celebrate Barbara's wonderful life. I praise God for the gift He gave us all by...Read More » ”
27 of 37 | Posted by: Becky Gerardis - Kennesaw, GA

“I will always remember the warmth she shared to all of those around her. The wonderful Thanksgiving meals shared, as well as her loving, joyous, and...Read More » ”
28 of 37 | Posted by: Amy Markey - Canton, MI

“I will always remember her smile, her love of life and the gratitude she lived. ”
29 of 37 | Posted by: Michael Harrison - Charlotte, NC

“Beth, we send our condolences to you and your family on the passing of your mother. It sounds like you have the same sweet spirit as your mom. May...Read More » ”
30 of 37 | Posted by: David, Tamika, Alexis and Shaun Gillie - NC

“I am sad to learn of Barbara's passing, but I know she will always be with us in spirit, everyone's comforter and cheerleader. What a blessing to...Read More » ”
31 of 37 | Posted by: Dottie Howell - Charlotte, NC

“I am very lucky to have met Barbara and Ira and all her beautiful children, especially Lisa, who carries so much of her mother in her soul. My...Read More » ”
32 of 37 | Posted by: Jacques Menache - Carrboro, NC

“This is really neat! Ira, your wife was one in 7 billion. Your marriage, wow, beautiful. As many others have said, your marriage, your love, is the...Read More » ”
33 of 37 | Posted by: Ryan Pierce - Madison, WI

“Dear Ira and all the Domby family, Sue and I are so saddened with the news of Barbaras passing. She always had that special loving smile no matter...Read More » ”
34 of 37 | Posted by: Dan & Sue Hespen - Cleveland, OH

“Ira, I only met Barbara a few times, but I remember her radiant smile and her genuine warmth. When I think of her I think of the great love with...Read More » ”
35 of 37 | Posted by: Deb Pascoe - Marquette, MI

“Barbara, my sister-in-law,was, in every way, as a natural-born sister might have been and I am so thankful for being part of the Neff family. She...Read More » ”
36 of 37 | Posted by: Sue Neff - Harbour Island

“Barbara was a beautiful person and will be missed terribly. Ira, I am so sorry that I will miss her services. I am leaving tomorrow to visit my...Read More » ”
37 of 37 | Posted by: Alice DePue - Marquette, MI


Barbara Neff Hutchison, 72, returned to her Creator, on Sunday, January 22, 2012. She died happily and peacefully at her home in Marquette, Michigan. Cancer took her life but never conquered her great spirit. Early in life Barbara seems to have learned that her purpose in life was to "love God, and to love her neighbor as herself." Her love was whole-hearted, generous, and unconditional. This love was stored in her heart and easily seen in her radiant smile; oh, what a smile it was. Her years on this good earth reflected her inner spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Born to Harriet and Paul Neff November 6, 1939, in Cleveland, Barbara was the third of four children. After attending Seton Hill University, Barbara became a wife and homemaker at a time when these vocations were still considered noble and right. The great blessings of her first marriage, to Art Domby, are five talented, intelligent, creative, beautiful and loving children. People who meet them comment on their resemblance to Barbara; in this they are most fortunate. Barbara multiplied her own love in each of her children who, along with her six grandchildren, have brought her much happiness in life. She also found joy in writing poetry, playing the piano, walking in the woods or along the lake. She virtually always had a dog, or two, and trained them without a harsh word or punishment. More recently Barbara trained her dogs to be therapy dogs. She believed in love as the foundation for every living thing, except spiders. Barbara laughed easily and fully; she cried just as easily at almost anything sentimental; she abhorred violence and was sometimes discouraged by human cruelty. Nevertheless, she was an optimist by heart and by faith. She always found hope even in dark situations. Barbara had both an undergraduate and a Master's degree but profession was always secondary to her. After devoting herself to raising her children, she became a substitute teacher, a school administrator, a campus minister at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and finally, a technical writer. Barbara married Ira Hutchison in Charlotte, November, 1995; they lived there until moving to Marquette in 2000. Finally and ecstatically retired, Barbara had time to learn and embrace gardening, nurtured by the welcoming community of gardeners in the area; with friends, she became a Master Gardener. She had the opportunity to just play and over time joined classes in yoga, Tai Chi, quilting, ice skating and folk dancing. In retirement Barbara was able to indulge her heart's desires and grow more deeply into herself, into friendships and into spiritual communities; the latter enriched her spirit and her loves. By multiplying her talents Barbara was blessed, blessed again, and blessed yet again by the love of others. She never failed to appreciate that the people, places and things she loved were gifts; she had a grateful heart and was, therefore, happy. In Ira she found a joyful companion who loved to love her and, most especially, to make her laugh. Being sweet, good-natured and irresistible, Barbara was able to convince him late in life to take ballroom dancing lessons, in which they found great joy until it was no longer possible. She died as she lived: always thinking of others; welcoming visitors with her embracing smile; comforting those whose sorrow was bare; praying daily; loving always. Barbara will be missed and mourned by her husband, Ira; by her children, Lisa Domby of Carrboro, NC, Jennifer (Johnny) Daigle of Charlotte, NC, Beth (Tim) O'Connell of Raleigh, NC, Chris (Celina) Domby of Chapel Hill, NC and Karen Linton of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Jamie, Kevin, Delaney, James, Keegan and Nathan; sisters, Janet Newsome of Cleveland, OH and Karen (George) Thurber of Brewster, MA; sister-in-law, Sue Neff of Harbor Island, Bahamas; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William Neff. Visitation will be held at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home on Friday, January 27, 4 to 7 p.m. Barbara's memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, January 28, at 11:00 A. M. Memorial donations to either Lake Superior Hospice or Marquette County Habitat for Humanity are appreciated. Barbara would want to thank the communities of people who have welcomed and nourished her: St. Michael Parish, Lake Superior Friends, NMU Women's Garden Group, and Century Club. Barbara's beliefs about friendship are represented in one of her favorite sections from C. S. Lewis' The Four Loves: "Christ, who said to the disciples, 'You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,' can truly say to every group of Christian friends 'You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.' The friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others." Memories may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com