Grace L. Hutzel

Grace Louise Hutzel went home to her Lord at 2:15 on Thursday, August 4, 2022, after a long illness. Grace was born on September 20, 1946, in Richmond, Virginia. We wish to thank the staff at Casa De Rosa Assisted Living Facility for the care and love they gave Grace during her residency there.

As a child, Grace travelled with her family to her father Gareth's military duty stations in Japan, Germany, and various locations in the continental United States. Eventually the family settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Grace had the opportunity to make many lifelong friends. After high school, Grace attended the University of New Mexico before going to Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas, and then returning to the University of New Mexico, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in June 1969. At her graduation from UNM, Grace was honored with the Dorothy Carter Memorial Award for excellence in maternal/child health nursing.

Grace went to work for the State of New Mexico in July 1969 as a public health nurse specializing in childcare. In August 1972 she enrolled at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, where she received her Master of Science in Nursing in August 1973. Thereafter she returned to her job with the State of New Mexico as a public health nurse specializing in pediatric and childcare. Grace provided nursing/health services to babies and children through many community-based clinics, home nursing service, public schools, and on the Navajo Reservation. From August 1988, Grace became a child Health Nurse Educator for the State of New Mexico, Department of Health, specializing in maternal and childcare.

Grace enjoyed going to the National Forests around Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her friends John and Rita Rincon and using her chainsaw to cut firewood to use in her fireplace and at her sister Carol's cabin in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. Grace never married but she received great joy from spending time with her dog Dusty and the children of her friends and relatives.

Grace was preceded in death by her father Gareth; her mother Anna; her sisters Virginia, and Carol Anne. She is survived by her Aunt Beatrice Smith of Chantilly, Virginia; and by numerous cousins.

She will be greatly missed by her lifelong friends Diane (Dee) Christmann of Placitas, New Mexico; Rita Rincon, Denise Meyer, and Louise (Chris) Christofferson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Charlene Wardlow of Sacramento, California.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday, August 12, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in Grace's name.