Ann Howard Hutter

Ann Howard Thompson Hutter, known to many as mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend, a beautiful and vibrant woman, lost a courageously fought battle with cancer when her life ended late Thursday evening, October 29, 2015. Her father and mother, John and Barbara Richeson Thompson and also a brother, John H. Thompson Jr., predeceased Ann.

With anything in life, whether it was spending time with be beloved family, hard at work with her tenured co-workers, or traveling abroad, Ann always did so with natural grace and elegance. Always putting the needs of others before her own, she was ever the consummate hostess and cherished by all who knew her.

Ann will be forever loved and missed by her husband of 42 years, Mark E. Hutter of Forest, her son Bryant R. Hutter (Jennifer), her grandchildren, Declan and Tatum Hutter and step-grandchildren Cody and Savannah Sohler of Richmond. Her mother and father-in-law, Mike and Kathleen Beatrice, both of Lynchburg, brother-in-law, James Hutter (Phala) of Martinsville, her sister, Elizabeth Ray of Forest, Va., sister-in-law, Beverly Hutter Hunter (Barry) of Virginia Beach and niece and nephews, Laura Hunter Kasunic of Virginia Beach, Scott Hunter of Norfolk, Mathew Ray of Chesapeake, VA and Christopher Ray of Washington, D.C.

Ann’s deep love of learning fostered itself throughout her many memories, through her appreciation of literature, a love that she helped to nurture within her own child and then later, her with her grandchildren. Whenever she had the chance to getaway, you’d find her replenishing her spirit on a sandy shore, soaking up the sun’s warmth. Although she had many passions, travel was one of her favorites. Over the years she was blessed to have traveled throughout the United States, marveling at so many of the wonders of nature with her husband and son. In more recent years she was to make multiple trips to our neighboring shores of Paris, France as well as several Caribbean Islands with her best friend and beloved sister, Beth. While she loved exploring new cultures and cuisines, she always came home to her most beloved Outer Banks where her family would gather together sharing laughter, good food, and sweet memories.

Lynchburg, and more recently, Forest, Virginia were home to Ann for the majority of her life. It is there that she attended college, raised a beautiful family, and established her career at First Federal Savings Bank and then later at Centra Health (formerly Piedmont Community Health Care). Ann was fortunate to have not only a thriving, regarding career but also a mutual love and respect of her dear co-workers who will miss her dearly.

All knew Ann’s love of her family; she took special joy in the moments she shared with grandson Declan, and granddaughter Tatum Hutter. While she dreamed of sharing in the memories as they grow into adulthood and beyond, she was grateful for the time she did have with them.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Ann’s many co-workers at Centra Health who were so kind to her and her family during her illness. Ann and her family were so appreciative of the care shown to her during her recent hospitalization at the University Hospital in Charlottesville. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Dr. Tibet of Lynchburg and the caring staff of Central Health Hospice.

For those who wish to honor her memory, you may send flowers to Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502 or please consider a donation in her name to the American Cancer Society.

A Celebration of Life service for Ann will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2015 in the Chapel at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, Va.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.