Jeanette Darlene McHatton (née Lind), loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend passed away on Oct. 12, 2022, at the age of 83. Jeanette is survived by her husband of 66 years, John McHatton at the family home in Elma. Jeanette was born in Sherwood, North Dakota on April 25, 1939, to John and Cora Lind. Jeanette was the middle child of three girls; her older sister Dorothy (Jack) Gibson preceded her in death and her younger sister Carol lives in Elma.
During the Dustbowl, Jeanette’s family headed west and settled in Grays Harbor County. As a young girl, the family lived on Fuller Hill in Elma where she enjoyed many great times with her sisters, including the time she and Dorothy loaded Carol in a baby stroller and nearly accidentally pushed her down the hillside. Thankfully, they averted disaster!
Jeanette was popular and well-liked by her peers. She was a song queen and was honored to receive the title of Prom Queen. When Jeanette was a high school sophomore, she set her sights on one of Elma’s star basketball players, John McHatton and asked him to be her date to tolo. They fell in love and married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elma on April 28, 1956. John and Jeanette welcomed their son, Mike (Erin) in 1957 and 14 months later they welcomed their first daughter, Sandy (Dale) Vaughan in 1958. On March 5, 1968, John and Jeanette welcomed their youngest daughter Teri (Tom) Crawford. Jeanette had the good fortune to be blessed with seven grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly.
Jeanette retired as a paraeducator from the Elma School District after more than 30 years of dedicated service. She always said she had a soft spot for the underdogs and gravitated toward the children who needed love the most. She is fondly remembered as always sharing her big umbrella with many decades of students who needed a dry place out of the rain, a soft hand-squeeze or a warm hug. She kept her trusty breath mints in her pocket and would gladly share with anyone.
Jeanette loved the outdoors and spent many weekends and summers camping on her and John’s property on Decker Creek. Even while camping, she kept her beautiful white hair styled with her battery-operated curling iron while her favorite sports team, the Seattle Mariners, played on the old radio. One of Jeanette’s favorite past times was going for long rides and taking in the scenery.
Jeanette’s passing will leave an empty spot in the hearts of many. Her family has asked that you please join them in celebrating her life at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles at 404 West Young Street in Elma on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Elma Parent Teacher Association, c/o Elma School District, 1235 Monte Elma Road, Elma, WA 98541.
