It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing on 9/19/23 of a woman who shined like a thousand suns, our Mother and Grandmother, Anne Hutcherson Gale. She wielded her intellect, style, and savvy to create and explore a world that was not built for women. She taught all in her tutelage and care how to use our agency in ways to better the world, always staying curious and kind. She left her mark on all of us for the better.
Born in McPherson, Kansas on July 7, 1935, to Basil and Mary Hutcherson, Anne is survived by her sister, Mary Morrison, her son Chris (spouse Mary), daughter Liz (spouse Mal Cooper), grandchildren Jessica, Shon, and Molly (spouse Ahmet Kurdoglu), and great-grandson Evren.
Anne graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Journalism. There, she met the love of her life, Thomas Gale, to whom she would be married for the next 59 years. While courting, Anne lived in Topeka, Kansas, working for women’s fashion magazines, while Tom started his architecture career. Anne then left Kansas, her fondest wish, to join Tom in Santa Fe on Canyon Road, where he was working as a young architect. Shortly thereafter, Tom and Anne moved to Phoenix, and Anne took a job at Warners Furniture, where she met another designer named George Wiseman. After some time, George and Anne left Warners and started a business called the “Shade Shop” on 7th Street in Phoenix. After a few more years, in 1965, they moved to Scottsdale and formed the design firm Wiseman & Gale. It became one of the premier interior design firms in the Southwest. Anne became known as the “Grand Dame” of Southwest luxury design, named by Phoenix Home & Gardens as a “Master of the Southwest”.
In time came their children, Chris and Liz, and summers in Jerome. Years later came Chris and Mary’s wedding and three grandchildren. Tom and Anne loved spending time with them in Flagstaff for weeks every summer, fondly called Camp Runamuck West.
Although she retired from Wiseman & Gale in 2002, Anne never slowed down. She continued to travel with her family and had many interests, including bridge, book group, and collector’s clubs. She also supported young artists and others in the community that she could guide and help.
After Tom’s passing and in her later years, Anne loved spending her summers in Flagstaff in her cozy home on the “Circle of Love.” She made many more dear friends there, especially with her beloved dog “Jackee” and the dog walkers. What lovely times she had sipping coffee, reading the news, and visiting with friends on the deck. Anne is fondly remembered and greatly missed.
Services for Anne will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10am.
100 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Anne by giving to:
Rosie’s House A Music Academy for Children
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Posted online on October 06, 2023
Published in The Arizona Republic
