Lady Anna Pearson Hutchison

Lady Anna Pearson Hutchison

Anna Hutchison was involved in community activities for much of her life in both Dunedin and Wellington. She helped to raise funds for Belgium under the banner of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association and was an active member of the Otago Women’s Club during the First World War. As a member of the latter, Anna was closely involved in wartime aid efforts, and later became president of the club. She was awarded the Médaille de la Reine Elisabeth (Queen Elisabeth Medal) for her work in aid of Belgium during the war.

Family information

Parents: James Copland and Kate Copland (née Anderson)
Born: 1869
Died: 16 February 1951, aged 81
Buried: Karori Cemetery, Wellington (cremated)
Married: Sir James Hutchinson, 1893

Children:

  • James Douglas Hutchison b. 1894
  • Frank Copland Hutchison b. 1897
  • William Jackson Pearson Hutchison b. 1898

Active in: Dunedin

Obituary/death notice

1.

Tribute to Lady Hutchison

With the death of Lady Hutchison, Dunedin has lost a fine, far-seeing citizen. It is seldom that so brilliant a brain and such driving power belong to such an unassuming personality. Lady Hutchison avoided the limelight if possible, and perhaps only those who worked with her in her many activities realised the wisdom of her advice and the quick keenness of her intelligence.

She could be relied upon to rise to the occasion even at a moment’s notice, and no one who ever heard her welcoming or thanking distinguished visitors at the Women’s Club can forget her clear, well-chosen words and her dignified charm. She will be sadly missed by many.

 - Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1951, p. 2.

2.

Lady Hutchison was a Founder of Otago Women’s Club

Lady Hutchison, whose death has occurred in Wellington (as reported in Saturday’s ‘Star’) was well-known for her work in women’s organisations in Dunedin, where she spent much of her life. Her husband the late Sir James Hutchison, was formerly editor of the ‘Otago Daily Times.’

Lady Hutchison will be remembered by many friends in Dunedin, particularly in the Otago Women’s Club, of which she was a foundation member, and a recent president. Her faculty of making sound judgements and initiating worthwhile undertakings won the respect of all. She took a special interest in the bridge club and in arts and crafts activities. Her other interests included the health camps movement, free kindergartens, the British Drama League, and the Otago Ladies’ Golf Club. Lady Hutchison was a daughter of Dr. J. Copland. She was born in Gore, and was educated at the Otago Girls’ High School.

Evening Star, 21 February 1951

Selected sources

'Marriage', Mataura Ensign, 29 December 1893, p. 4

'The War', Otago Daily Times, 11 April 1916, p. 6

'The Otago Patriotic Fund', Otago Daily Times, 11 December 1916, p. 5

Community contributions

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