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Colleen Kay Hutchins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Colleen Kay Hutchins
BornMay 23, 1926
DiedMarch 24, 2010(2010-03-24) (aged 83)
Alma materBrigham Young University
TitleMiss Utah 1951
Miss America 1952
PredecessorYolande Betbeze
SuccessorNeva Jane Langley
Spouse
(m. 1953)
Children4, including Kiki and Tauna Vandeweghe
RelativesMel Hutchins (brother)
CoCo Vandeweghe (granddaughter)

Colleen Kay Hutchins (May 23, 1926 – March 24, 2010) was Miss America 1952.

Early life

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Hutchins was a native of Arcadia, California. Her brother, Mel Hutchins, later became a basketball player for the Milwaukee Hawks, Fort Wayne Pistons, and New York Knicks.

Pageantry

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Hutchins was crowned as Brigham Young University's homecoming queen in 1947. In September 1951, she was crowned as Miss America, the first Miss Utah to win the pageant.[1][2]

Personal life

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Hutchins met future husband Ernie Vandeweghe at a New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden after a friend introduced her to the team's forward.[3] The couple married in May 1953,[3] and had four children: son, Kiki, a professional basketball player and executive; daughter, Tauna, an Olympic swimmer, son, Bruk; and daughter, Heather.[4] Hutchins is also the grandmother of professional tennis player CoCo Vandeweghe, daughter of Tauna. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Vandeweghes resided in Indian Wells, California, Laguna Beach, California and Palm Springs, California. She died on March 24, 2010, in Newport Beach, at age 83.

References

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  1. ^ "Passings: Colleen Kay Hutchins, Ira Skutch". Los Angeles Times. 25 March 2010. p. AA7.
  2. ^ "Miss America : 1952". Miss America Organization. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008.
  3. ^ a b Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
  4. ^ "Former Miss America Vandeweghe left legacy of family, faith". 2010-04-06.

Sources

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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss America
1952
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Joanne Hinand
Miss Utah
1951
Succeeded by
Marylyn Reese