Obituary : Marie J. Hulse
Published: July 10, 2008
Marie J. Hulse, 83, died on Sunday, May 18 after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. A lifelong resident of Riverhead, N.Y., she was the loving wife of the late Richard W. Johnson and the late Wells Hulse, and devoted mother of three children and their spouses: Annmarie and Michael Terra, Maryjane and Joseph Raynor of Riverhead, and Dick Johnson and Debra Swanson of Martha's Vineyard.
A retired schoolteacher, Marie loved children, the outdoors and all of nature, but especially the spring wildflowers and the box turtles living in her backyard and she often spoke fondly of gathering flowers and creating May baskets as a young girl. Some of the happiest days of her life were spent with family and friends on their boat, swimming, clamming, crabbing and enjoying all that the water had to offer.
After her retirement from Laurel Elementary School, Marie kept busy as a volunteer at the Peconic Bay Medical Center, the Riverhead Library, and the Riverhead United Methodist Church. However, her greatest joy was always her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to her three children, Marie is survived by her sister, Jane Kearns of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., eight grandchildren, including Sarah and Emma Johnson of Martha's Vineyard, Brian, Kevin and Chris Raynor and Jessica, Bill and Anna Klatt of Riverhead, N.Y, and two great grandchildren, David and Alex Raynor, also of Riverhead.
A celebration of her life was held on May 21 at the Reginald Tuthill Funeral Home. Donations in her memory may be made to Project Safe Haven, c/o Tony Lombardi; Camp Jabberwocky, P.O. Box 1357, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568; or the Riverhead United Methodist Church, 204 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901.
