Diane Hatch

Diane was born in Price, Utah on May 24, 1943, to Roy H. and Marion C. Fergusson. She was the third of five children. She never liked the name Noel, and from a young age insisted on going by her middle name, Diane. She graduated from Carbon High School in 1961, earned a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education at Utah State University in 1965, and went on to finish a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Utah.

She found the love of her life, John Lawrence "Larry" Hatch in 1963 at Utah State when they were both singing in the Institute Choir. They had previously met while dating mutual friends when they both attended Carbon College, but after that day in Institute they only had eyes for each other. They were married September 18, 1964, in the Salt Lake Temple. They moved to Salt Lake City after finishing college and began their teaching careers, finally settling in West Valley City where they raised their four children.

Diane loved education and took it seriously. She was a perpetual student of the world and a natural teacher who could turn almost any experience into a learning opportunity. She finished her 28-year teaching career at Hunter Elementary, after teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade, eventually deciding that 5th graders were her favorite. And although she retired from her teaching career, she never stopped teaching her grandchildren whenever an opportunity arose. She was an avid reader, and unfailingly read both major Utah newspapers every day, kept up with her National Geographic subscription, and often burned the midnight oil while reading any book or article that had piqued her interest.

Diane also loved nature and spent two summers after high school working at Yellowstone Park, an adventure that created a lifetime of stories for her to share. Her family knew that if there was a beautiful sunset, we stopped and watched it; if there was a hawk circling, she would point it out; and if there were animals in the fields, she would teach about each one. She taught many geography lessons while on road trips through the mountains; she was a limitless fountain of knowledge about rock formations, plate tectonics, and the history of the areas she traveled to most around Utah. She was a fantastic storyteller and would often entertain her young family on long drives with fairy tale stories, never telling them quite the same way twice. Later, when she read stories to her grandchildren, she had the best improvisations, including but not limited to dramatic voices and nicknames for colors.

Being married to Larry, an avid athlete who played many sports, it was inevitable that she would become a sports fan, too. She loved watching him play fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball and spent years watching her children and grandchildren play in countless baseball, basketball, football, water polo games, and drill team competitions. She became adept at yelling at referees and cheering on her players with embarrassing volume. Furthermore, if a conversation with Diane lasted for more than 30 seconds, you would hear about the latest pursuits and accomplishments of her children and grand-children, whether you knew her or not. The cashiers at her regular stores were kept up-to-date on the achievements of her family, and it wasn’t unusual to run into a friend who knew the latest about you because they had already received an update after running into her. Her love and pride in her family knew no bounds.

After retiring in 2003 Larry and "Didus" (a nickname given by a college roommate that stuck) spent their enviable golden years golfing together every day the weather would allow (except Sundays). They were inseparable and truly became best friends during these years. They continued to travel to the Senior Summer Games and to various softball tournaments around the state and in different parts of the country for as long as Larry continued to play. And Larry, her forever partner, stayed by her side throughout the most difficult trials of dementia, steadfastly caring for her and ensuring she could remain in her home.

Diane's testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was a major driving force in her life. She held many callings, including teaching Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society, and serving in the Relief Society Presidency. She spent her life sharing her testimony freely, with conviction, and by example and was able to serve an inner-city service mission with Larry in the Waterloo Ward of the Wells Stake from 2002-2005. Even after dementia robbed her of her memory of her children and everyone except "my hubby, Larry" she continued to proclaim that she "loved God." As long as she could speak, she would say that, and could still sometimes even sing along with primary songs. She proved that even though the mind forgets, the spirit always remembers.

She was a shining example of love, learning, service, kindness, curiosity, acceptance, forgiveness, grace, elegance, and intelligence. Diane was a strong, intelligent, professional, capable, well-read, well-spoken woman, before it was even cool. After dementia, if you asked her how she was doing, she would invariably look you in the eye and answer "I'm beautiful!" If you said you loved her, she would ask "How long?" to which the only acceptable response was "Forever and ever."

Many thanks to the sweet caregivers who tirelessly cared for Diane at home. Amanda, Tina, Pam, Kina, Mariana, Mele, and Sunni, we know it was not easy and we took great comfort knowing she was in good hands. We also appreciate the nurses Kathleen and Chris, who provided their compassion and expertise to her and our family. We will not forget you.

The loved ones who met her on the other side include her parents, her brother Roy Fergusson, and sister Carole Giles. She is survived by her husband, John L Hatch, brother Robert Fergusson, sister Kathleen Tureson, and children John (Tina) Hatch Jr, Jennifer Sturgis, Jeffery (Marcia) Hatch, and Jeremy (Tiffany) Hatch, as well as 15 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the LDS church on 6400 W. 3500 S., West Valley City, UT 84128, with the viewing on Monday, May 22, from 6-8 pm, and funeral service Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 11 am with a viewing at 10 am. Burial will be at Valley View Memorial Park at 12:30 pm at 4335 W 4100 S, West Valley City, UT 84120.