Gayle Hutchens

In Loving Memory Gayle Chadwick Hutchens, RN, MSN 10/17/1947 ? 8/13/2011 Gayle Chadwick Hutchens died Saturday evening, August 13, 2011, embraced by the love of her devoted family who were at her bedside, and the many, many friends whose lives were touched by her selfless generosity and kindness. Gayle was a wife, mother and grandmother; a nurse, healer, teacher, mentor, manager, entrepreneur and a woman of deep personal faith. Her crowning achievement and the legacy of which she was most proud was the creation of the nonprofit Paws & Think, Inc. in October 2001. The agency?s unique mission to match the potential of atrisk youths with canines to enhance the lives of adults and children with special needs touched lives throughout Central Indiana. In Paws & Think, she discovered her passion, and spent her last years working tirelessly to extend its reach into schools, the juvenile justice system, adult daycare, library reading programs, and bereavement programs, including a funeral home where she placed dogs who help children, adults and even staff travel through the landscape of loss. Her work in this very special organization brought her accolades from around the world. Among th...[more]

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the L?Oreal Paris Woman of Worth Award for Inspiring Others, Outstanding Achievement and Making a Difference; the Assistant Dog Institute?s Innovation Award for Creative Programming Initiative: Pregnant Paws Program for Pregnant Teens for Improvement of Parenting Skills; and the Jefferson Award for Doing Extraordinary Things for Others, Their Community and Their Nation or the Environment. Closer to home, she was honored with the Mayor?s Award for Outstanding Community Service to Improve the City of Indianapolis; the Indiana Governor?s Award for Outstanding Community Service and Learning; and induction into the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis Hall of Fame. Most recently she was named an Indiana Hero by the Indiana Pacers. She retired from Paws & Think just a week before her death. Gayle was born in Anniston, Alabama on October 17, 1947, to David and Margaret Chadwick. Her father preceded her in death in 1988. She earned a bachelor?s of science degree in nursing from DePauw University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She received her master?s of science degree in nursing from Indiana University. She held teaching, clinical and administrative positions at Clarian Health, the Indiana University Medical Center, and the Indiana University School of Nursing, and served as an international consultant and presenter in Brazil and Kenya. She was a member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International; the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society of Educators, and PEO. In 1988 Gayle married the love of her life, William Hutchens. He survives, along with her beloved daughter Sandy Lawrence Martin (Jeff); and stepsons Will Hutchens (Mary), Tom Hutchens, and John Hutchens (Laura). Also surviving: her mother, Margaret Frampton Chadwick; brother David Chadwick (Ann); sister Lynn Dowler (Mike); and grandchildren Monica Marz, Julia and Jack Hutchens, and Lucas and Anna Martin. Services will be at St. Luke?s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, Friday, August 19 at 4 p.m. Friends may call at the church from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. that same afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Gayle?s honor to Paws and Think, Inc., c/o Mr. J. Miller, Treasurer; City Securities; 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 600; Indianapolis, IN 46204, or online at www.pawsandthink.org.