AUBURN — Jean K. Hutchinson, 91, of Auburn, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice with her family by her side.

She was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, Oct. 15, 1921, the daughter of the late P. Granville Keirstead and Hazel Talbot. Jean attended local schools, graduating from Edward Little High School, Class of 1940. She went on to Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in Lewiston, becoming a registered nurse in 1943. Shortly after graduation, she joined the Army Nurse Corps and, as a member of the 221st General Hospital Unit, proudly served her nation in Europe during World War II.

Following the war, she returned home and on Oct. 24, 1945, she married the love of her life, Alton Hutchinson. Together they worked and raised their young family in the Lewiston-Auburn area until Alton’s untimely death in 1964.

She continued working in the healthcare profession as a private duty nurse and for AHHS. She attended St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn for many years and was also a member of the Alumni Association of CMMC. In recent years, she enjoyed knitting and fussing over her cat.

Jean is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Janice and Wayne Welshans of Jersey Shore, Pa., Nancy and Douglas Rogers of Auburn and Dawna and William Larkin of Auburn; nine grandchildren, Teri Welshans Vineyard, Heather Welshans Dollard, Gretchen Welshans Herman, John Welshans, Joshua Rogers, Kimberly Rogers Teret, Matthew Larkin, Sara Larkin and Benjamin Larkin; and 12 great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Isabel and Alexander Vineyard, Kayli and Meara Dollard, Zakory, Kelob and Meghan Herman, Sylvan and Ember Rogers, Kaya and Phoenix Teret.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Kenneth Keirstead and Ronald Keirstead.

Family was Jean’s greatest joy in life. She will be deeply missed and remembered with love by all of them. Her family expresses deep gratitude to the staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the loving care they gave Jean.

You are invited to share you thoughts, condolences and fond memories of Jean through her online guest book at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.