Mrs. Patricia Dickinson Hutaff

Mrs. Patricia Dickinson “Patti” Hutaff, of Fayetteville, died Sunday, June 29, 2014.
She was the daughter of Col. and Mrs. Oliver A. Dickinson, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Sam Hutaff, and her two sisters, Jeanne Pollock and Diane Dickinson.

Born April 16, 1919, in San Diego, she lived the life of an Army daughter with her family traveling throughout the U.S. Patti attended the University of Texas and the University of Utah and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1940 with  a BS degree in geology. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

On June 14, 1940, she married Sam Hutaff and remained in Fayetteville until her death.

Surviving are her two daughters, Anne O’Malley and husband Retired Col. Kelly O’Malley of Wilmington and Deborah Green and husband Dr. Walter Green of Fayetteville; five grandchildren, Sam Greene of Angier, Aliene Thompson of Raleigh, Emily Boccia of Herndon, Va., Catherine Ferrara of Houston and Jim O’Malley of Tampa, Fla.; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, she was an active and faithful contributor to the community and the church. She served on the board of directors of the United Way, the Salvation Army, the Girl Scouts, the N.C. Symphony and the Civic Music Association. She was a co-founder of Cape Fear Valley Hospital Auxiliary. She served St. John’s Episcopal Church in many ways: choir, Altar Guild and chairman of the grounds committee, and she was instrumental in developing and enlarging a garden at the church. She served the Diocese of Eastern N.C. on search committees, as president of Episcopal Churchwomen, delegate to the Triennial Convention, member of diocese Executive Council, member of the committee that formed Trinity Center on Bogue Banks, and chair of the Diocesan Ecumenical Committee.

Her love of flowers and gardens was evident as a member and president of the Fayetteville Garden Club, an organizer of the Garden Center, sponsoring new clubs and chairman of Standard Flower Shows, Home Garden Tours and Flower Show Schools. Locally, she was instrumental in organizing the American Camellia Society Club and she, along with her husband, Sam, was a camellia judge. She helped organize Ikebana International Chapter 140. She chaired the Site Committee for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and served on the board of directors for many years.

Patti was a life member of the Garden Club of North Carolina, was secretary and served on the board of directors and was chairman of the Horticulture Committee and the Nominating Committee. Patti  served as  a member of the Board of Governors of the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo for more than 50 years and was treasurer for 30 years. She saw the gardens grown from a concept to being world-recognized as an authentic Elizabethan garden. She remained an honorary member of the board until her death.
When she spoke of the gardens, there was passion in her voice that revealed the love she felt in her heart for this garden.
in 1990, she was the recipient of the GCNC Yearbook dedication and in 1997 received the highest award given by the Garden Club of North Carolina  â€” the Maslin Award.

Patti was an accredited Master Judge of Flower Shows and her creative talents were recognized in her exhibitions. She served as president of the Eastern  N.C. Judges Council.
Patti’s enthusiasm and spirit inspired those with whom she came in contact. Generously, she shared her knowledge, and encouraged others to aspire to higher goals.

To sum up this gracious and selfless lady: “Gardening makes me humble, for in my garden, I work with a force far stronger than I.”

A private family graveside service will be held at Cross Creek Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014, in St. John’s  Episcopal Church, with Father Robert Alves officiating. A reception will follow in the Kyle House.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville, NC 28301; to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 302 Green St., Fayetteville, NC 28301; or to The Elizabethan Gardens, 1411 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville.