Obituary for Theresa Hutter (nee Hradowy)
Hutter, Theresa (Terry) née Hradowy
April 18, 1936-April 29, 2022
It is with heavy hearts we must announce that at 8:30 am on Friday, April 29, 2022 after spending 5 full “unconscious” days at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, with Chantel by her side, Theresa drifted away peacefully to the angelic voice of Annie Sumi and Catholic hymns. Theresa had amyloid angiopathy and an irregular blood vessel gave way suddenly, there was no way to know it would happen. During her final stay at the hospital, she received many calls that were held to her ear, and although she could not speak, we are certain that she heard each and every call. Her daughter lovingly wiped away tears as they welled up.
Theresa was in her 87th year having just celebrated her 86th birthday. Beloved mother of Chantel Hutter and Mother-in-law to Chantel's husband Eric Poirier (whom Theresa adored) of Aylmer Québec, beloved sister of Marian Hradowy (Olga) and Nadia Michaluk, beloved Aunty to many nieces and nephews, all of Manitoba. Theresa went to join the love of her life August Hutter, her parents Michael and Anna, her siblings Harry, Eddie (Stefie), Helen (Doug), Geraldine (John), Walter (Fern) Sonia, little Mary and brothers-in-law Eddie and Ron.
Theresa grew up in Inwood, Manitoba. Both of her parents were born in the Ukraine and came to Canada in the hopes of a better life for the children they would have one day. How lucky our family is that they sacrificed for us, especially today...
Raised on a family farm, she moved to bustling Toronto after school, working at Berkel Products on Bloor Street before meeting the love of her life, August (Gus) Hutter. They married in 1957 and worked at many establishments in the hospitality industry from Toronto at the Chez Paree, to the Bigwin Inn, then off to Palm Springs California in 1963 and 1964 at the Racket Club, and the Chi Chi where they enjoyed the warm winters, served and looked like movie stars.
Finally the young couple settled in North Bay Ontario where they owned and operated a special little Pastry Shop on Hwy 11 North. For many years, working alongside her husband Gus, she was the hostess with the mostest and served love and a captivating smile along with the edible treasures prepared at the Pastry Monk. In 1968 Theresa gave birth to Chantel, and over the years the busy couple also fostered more than 10 children in need.
Loyal and faithful friend to her family, God, the Church (especially St. Peter’s where she was a parishioner for over 50 years), and the Community of North Bay, she was well known in the Bay and made friends easily - from waiting in line at Dairy Queen to sharing fries at McDonald’s.
Theresa always loved to walk, losing her vision to macular degeneration and needing to use a walker did not slow her down in the least. She would often be picked up by people passing by as she was walking with her walker to either St. Peter's Church or the Northgate Mall.
No matter what life threw in her path, Theresa always met it with integrity, intelligence, ingenuity, love, kindness and a genuine smile and laugh that would light up a room - not even the mask that she wore to protect others and herself could hide her radient smile.
She loved life, random acts of kindness, loved to laugh, and a good innocent practical joke, really good clean zingers and absolutely adored children. She was adept at embracing her own inner child and finding the small treasures in life such as nature and friendship.
A true humanitarian and equalitarian, Theresa was colour-blind to any differences we might have as human beings and treated everyone equally and with kindness. She was aways willing to lend a hand to someone in need. She had a fierce sense of right and wrong and put others’ safety and needs before her own, especially her daughter’s.
Friend, Mother, Foster-Mother, Sister, Aunty, Toastmistress, Hostess, Chef extraordinaire, Singer and Songwriter Dancer, Artist, Lifelong Learner, Founding Member of the North Bay Ukrainian-Canadian Club, Outside the box thinker, World Traveller, Maker of something out of nothing, after the death of her husband in 2006, Theresa stayed in North Bay until she moved to Ottawa this February to be closer to her daughter. They had their own mutual admiration society and she shared 3 glorious months with Chantel laughing, singing and hugging enough to make up for years of living in different cities and provinces.
A heartfelt thank you to people who made a difference in our journey. Ray and Karen, friends rooted in faith, who happily and graciouisly drove Theresa wherever she needed to or wanted to go over the years, especially during COVID.
Chris and Jeff, lifelong friends whose families and lives were intertwined with the Hutters. They brought joy to her in the form of calls, pedaheh and cherished moments of Jeff reading Dinner at Antoine’s to Theresa in the hospital.
Dr. Vijay and all of his staff who so lovingly looked after her failing eyesight and brought joy to every visit.
Chantel's friend Carole for dropping everything and driving her to go be with Mamma, and staying with them that fatefully long morning.
To our friends Sue and Bill. Sue for being Chantel's personal shopper and being at the Civic everyday so we could make sure Mamma was never alone, and Bill for driving Chantel home from the hospital on one of the most difficult days of her life.
To the staff of the North Bay Hospital who helped Theresa to recover from two surgeries in November especially Tina, Justin, Natasha, Trevor, Kate, Nicole and Bill.
To everyone who contributed towards Theresa’s Medical transportation from the North Bay hospital to her new home in Ottawa.
To the special staff of the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus ICU and Palliative Care who looked after Theresa with so much care, kindness, dignity and respect during the last days of her life, especially Dr. Kevin, Father Cooper, Jamie, Crystal, Allison, Sandra, Doug and Paul.
A memorial service will be held at the West Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 3:30pm. Please honour Theresa's wishes by attending the service by livestream using the following link: View the livestream of the service for Theresa Hutter.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Peter’s Parish in North Bay at a later date.
Вічная Пам'ять (Vichnaya Pamyat – Eternal Memory)
In lieu of flowers, please consider honouring Theresa by doing a random act of kindness (especially for an unsuspecting stranger), bringing a meal to a homeless person, giving to the charity of your choice or consider donating to UNICEF which is providing targeted relief for Ukrainian children. www.unicef.org/ukraine/en