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Corey Sue Hutchinson, 61, passed peacefully on April 28th, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Durango, CO. She was born on December 18th, 1961 in Bremerton, WA to Bruce and Russell and Carolyn Hutchinson. She is survived by her mother, Carolyn, and her brother, Van and his wife Giannina and Corey's niece, Shalom. She was married to Todd Swanson, David Derfus, and Billy Koons. Her furry companions were Haiku, Rosa, and Opal. Many know Corey (aka Corey Sue) as friend, neighbor, and colleague, and her pioneering business, Aqua Hab, Inc. set a new high bar for excellence in pond design and wetland restoration from La Plata County to surrounding states. Corey loved music, dancing and played flute in local bands. She rode her bicycle from Spring Lake, MI to Corvallis, OR, a trip with a friend that took 2 1/2 months. Corey graduated from Oregon State University and went on to obtain a master's degree. Corey's gift to Durango and beyond is both her vivacious personality and lasting friendships plus her priceless contribution to wetlands and diverse ecosystems. From unicellular organisms to Homo sapiens, Life itself celebrates Corey's life. Her friends and family held a celebration of Corey's life on May 1st.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
So sorry to hear of this loss to all of my Durango Friends.
Restoration of all things wet and wild was her!
RIP
Jeffrey L Abbe
Friend
May 17, 2023
Mark Fritsch
May 10, 2023
Mark Fritsch
May 10, 2023
I was fortunate to know and work with Corey Sue in the early `80´s. It seems so long ago, but just yesterday. What great times and memories - F&W monitoring, Haiku as a puppy and silk screening. To this day the silk screens (see attached photos, and the little "CSH" signatures) provide the seed for these memories of a very special individual. Mark Fritsch
Mark Fritsch
May 10, 2023
Antonia Clark
May 9, 2023
As a student at FLC, I worked with Corey 30 years ago. The fact that this news was a punch in the gut is testimony how one quality, wonderful person can have life-long impact in a very short time. I have thought of her often over the years but, of course, she didn't know...
Wishing peace to her family and loved ones.
Dave Neil
Work
May 9, 2023
Corey's Family;
We are sending our deepest Sympathy. Got to know Corey when she was married to our Brother David. Always enjoyed her when she visited Wisconsin. Our thoughts are with you. She surely will be missed.
The Derfus Family from Wisconsin
Janet Wellner
Friend
May 8, 2023
So sad to hear of this! Loved Corey and her passion. When we were in our 20´s I tried to keep up with her telemark skiing at Purgatory, she was so fast I slipped on ice and. Fell so hard I thought I broke my back! She nursed me down and took such care of me... not to mention so many great times and conversations. I know our environment will miss her too !
Julie compton
Friend
May 8, 2023
Carolyn, my friend, my heart Aches as I think of your precious Corey's passing. Your beautiful daughter, whom you've loved so dearly for 61 years here on earth, now takes a turn to her everlasting life in the heavenlies. You will learn how to fully love her from the distance between here and there in untold ways you never imagined. And she, too, will reciprocate her love to you. So many will pray earnestly for both of you, and me included. I pray God's blessings upon you this night. All my love, [email protected]
Diane Estes
May 8, 2023
I went to high school in Massachusetts with Corey. She had moved to Michigan senior year. I also moved to Michigan to attend college unfortunately we lost touch. One day I was studing in the library and a friend of hers came up to me and said Are you Mary Jane? I then saw Corey. What a surprise!
We spoke on the phone about a year ago. She had invited me to visit. I wish I visited her. You never know when your time is up. Live for today!
She was such a beautiful woman inside and out who lived an adventurous life.
I´m so sad she passed. My condolences to her family and friends.
Love you Corey. I´ll see you later. Now it´s time to rest.
MJ McGann-Pagnoni
Friend
May 7, 2023
Virginia
Friend
May 6, 2023
As often is the case I didn´t get a chance to tell you how beautiful you were and how I always thought you were one class act. I´ll miss your smile
Deb
May 6, 2023
I am so sorry to hear this news of Corey's passing. I met Corey at Northern Michigan University. We shared an adventure of riding our bikes across country. Corey was an amazing person/friend. She was always adventurous, friendly and fun. My condolences go out to her family and friends.
Virginia Callaghan
Friend
May 6, 2023
Corey Sue, my wife Lesli and I were good friends in the mid 1980´s; she played her flute for our wedding at Cloud Cap Inn on Mt. Hood (see photo from August 6, 1983.) For several years, Corey and I worked together on Mt Hood National Forest, and during that time, Les and I enjoyed many hikes, concerts, ski and camp trips with her. In the late 80´s, Lesli and I left Oregon for a Peace Corp assignment, and we subsequently lost touch with Corey for 30 years. I regularly heard and read about the great work, recognition and success she had in her watershed restoration career with the Forest Service and her own business over that period.
Serendipitously, two months ago I had the remarkable good fortune to look her up and call to invite her to a reunion with old work partners on Mt Hood National Forest. It was like no time had passed between us- she was sunny, warm and welcoming, just like always. It was great fun to chat, trade stories and catch up. We were both so excited to plan for her to see her old friends in Oregon. I´m crushed that we did not get the chance to hug and welcome her back.
We miss you very much Corey. Your memory and legacy lives on here in our hearts, as well as in the streams and watersheds you loved and worked to protect and help. We remember your big heart; a great friend; a fun `ball of fire´´; a humble but strong, vibrant human being; and a life very well-lived...
Jeff and Lesli Uebel
April 30, 2023
Jeff Uebel
Friend
May 5, 2023
I´m so sorry to hear this. I worked with Corey Sue on the Mt. Hood NF. What a spark plug. Was looking forward to reconnecting with her at our Hood reunion next week. She´ll be sorely missed.
Tom Cain
Work
May 5, 2023
Corey Sue and I spent 2 weeks traveling in Honduras in March 2011. We visited museums,
hiked volcanoes, paddled estuaries, took a zipline tour in the jungle, swam in the ocean, danced at the disco, drank beer by the beach with our friend Buzz, and bought a bunch of pottery from our "new best friends..." the young men who sold pottery on the beach every morning. We each had a suitcase full of pottery when we left but
because she loved visiting with the young men and practicing her Spanish with them.
We took Spanish classes for 5 mornings and tried our best to practice on shuttle drivers, guides, waitresses and all the lovely people there. She really enjoyed learning something new every day.
We enjoyed talking about plans for her upcoming wedding to Billy whom she called "amazing.".
Corey was a true friend who always called and said " how are YOU doing?"
She helped me get my wet lands issues resolved when i sold my property last year. She often gave me suggestions on how to reseal our pond without our fish dying. She was spunky and fun, generous and compationate. We will miss you Corey Sue. May you rest in Peace
Antonia clark
Friend
May 4, 2023
So many wonderful shared memories of times spent with Corey´s family when we all lived in Spring Lake, Michigan. Adventure and creativity were part of her heritage and personality...those are an enduring gift to all who knew her. Rest in peace, Corey.
Katherine Reynolds
May 3, 2023
Powder Snow under BlueBird Skies Keep Um turning,
Fun forever....Always loving it, we had a blast.
Jay Carroll JFoto
Friend
May 2, 2023
I visited with Corey Sue in October and she, Opal and I went for a bike ride. Ride on my friend!
Judy Dutcher
Friend
May 2, 2023
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