Idolly Hutchinson

September 16, 2019 - September 25, 2019

Idolly Mabel Martinez Hutchinson was born to Myrtle Idolly Martinez and Hugh Martinez, Sr. on September 16, 1949. She was the eighth and last child born to this union. Everyone who met Idolly was immediately captured by her beauty and warm smile. She was an accomplished, articulate, intelligent, fiesty, strong quick witted woman who adored her family and loved to travel. Idolly spent her first 10 years of life in Belize, Central America. In 1959, she migrated with her family to America who settled in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY. In 1965, at the age of 16, Idolly met the young man to whom she would later marry, Collin. In 1972, Idolly married Collin and their union was blessed with two daughters. Idolly placed high value on education as she believed an education was the one thing no one can ever take away. While working full time at Restoration Plaza Health Center in Brooklyn, with a husband and toddler, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Long Island University in 1978. She would later go on to obtain her Masters’ Degree also in Business Administration in 1984, this time, adding another child to that already full plate. One of her professors was so impressed by her work ethic and proficiency, he offered, and she accepted an adjunct teaching position at Long Island University not long after graduation. Idolly taught for two years then began her stellar career at New York City Transit Authority in 1986 as Deputy Director, Maintenance Department- Department of Buses, quickly rising through the ranks as Director and Senior Director of Buses. In this role, Idolly was overseeing the implementation of the MetroCard system when an unfortunate work-place accident forced her into early retirement in 2005. While the accident slowed her down it did not extinguish her love of traveling. Idolly loved to travel and often took trips with her beloved mother (until her passing in 2006), her husband and family. Her favorite destinations included Hawaii, Italy, all the Caribbean islands and several cruises. Idolly suffered a massive stroke on December 22, 2017. Despite an initial grave diagnosis, Idolly made a miraculous recovery until an infection proved too strong, even for her. In addition to her parents, Idolly is preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Longsworth and Yvonne Williams, her brothers Hugh, Jr. and Raymond Martinez. She leaves behind to treasure her memory her loving husband of 47 years, Collin, daughters Renita, (Quinn) and Arlana, her brother John (JoAnn), sisters Imogene Martinez and Beatrice Williams (Claude), sister-in law, Norma Martinez, as well as a host of adopted and biological nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Idolly was loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.