The planet lost one of its brightest lights and strongest advocates when Page Hutchinson unexpectedly passed away on Feb. 2, 2021. Page was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 5, 1955 and spent her youth in multiple states, the child of an Air Force officer. She attended Madison College and received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. After her service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji, she taught middle and high school science for many years. ln 2008, she followed her heart’s desire and completed a Master of Science in Ecological Leadership and Environmental Education from Lesley University. After completing her graduate degree, she continued her role of environmental science educator with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Forestry and was living in Gordonsville, Va.

Nothing was more important to Page than the wellbeing of her sons, close family and friends. No task was too challenging and she knew no limit to her perseverance when it came to ensuring that those she loved were never in need. Professionally, Page was well-known locally and throughout the state for her love and understanding of the environment. For more than 40 years, she willingly shared with fellow teachers and students of all ages her broad scientific knowledge and expertise of how our environment maintains its critical interconnectedness. Page had a passion for learning, and taught both inside the classroom and in her many “happy” places outside throughout Virginia’s state park system and beyond. Page was the consummate “people person” who was always able to make others laugh and feel loved. She was amazingly creative and never failed to find a way to accomplish any goal or project she or someone else started.

Her family, friends, and colleagues deeply miss Page’s laugh, sense of humor, and ability to make everyone feel special. Page was preceded in death by her parents, Myles and Ann Hutchinson. She is survived by her sons, Myles and Sean Kois; her siblings, Toni Rodgers, Brian Hutchinson, and Aldo Salgado, and her nieces and nephews Michael, Maryah, Christopher, Drew, and Valeria.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Page’s memory with a donation to either the Audubon Nature Institute or The Nature Conservancy.