Mary Dianitia Hutcheson

Dianitia Hutcheson, age 88, died in the medical facility at the Carolina Meadows Retirement Center in Chatham County on November 25, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Nathaniel Goode Hutcheson, Sr. and Mary Leckie Hutcheson.

Di was born and raised in Boydton, VA, a small town just over the North Carolina line. She was a graduate of St. Mary's in Raleigh and the College of William & Mary. She is survived by her brother, Nathaniel Hutcheson, and Gordon Battle, her partner for the last fourteen years.

After college, Di embarked on a remarkable career. She spent two years in London, England, working for the Office of Naval Research, and traveling throughout Europe. She then went to New York, doing publicity work for various book publishers including Double Day, Harcourt Brace, and Lippincott.

Finally, tiring after New York after twenty years, Di moved to Chapel Hill. She became a self-employed Interior Designer and Antique Dealer. For a number of years, she had a space in an antique store in Cameron, near Pinehurst. 

Di was a faithful member of the Holy Family Episcopal Church serving on the alter guild and as a lay reader.

In 2011, Di moved to the Carolina Meadows Retirement Community. She became active at Carolina Meadows devoting time and energy to the Gift Shop and Library. 

It was at Carolina Meadows that she and Gordon Battle, a fellow resident, became partners and enjoyed life together for fourteen beautiful years. 

Services for Di will be held at the Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Road, Chapel Hill, on Friday, December 12th at 2:00PM.