Obituary of Colleen Martha Ann Hatch

November 22, 1956 - London, Ontario

September 14, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Colleen Hatch, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the age of 67 years. Colleen was born in London, ON, and was the eldest child of Lewis and Shirley Raiche.

Colleen lived her early childhood in London, ON, and then later in Calgary, AB, and when she was eight years old the family relocated to Pierceland, SK. It was here that she learned the value of hard work and got to experience farm life for the first time. She was living in a home at times that required wood for heat and hauling water for cooking and cleaning. This experience molded her into the hardworking woman she was. As a child, Colleen was a majorette for a couple of years and learned the skill of baton. Even well into adulthood, she would impress her children and grandchildren with her baton-twirling skills.

As a young teenager, Colleen developed a crush on an older boy named Byron Hatch. When she was fifteen years old that crush became mutual and a year later Colleen enthusiastically accepted Byron’s marriage proposal. On October 10, 1973, in the Cardston Alberta Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Colleen and Byron were sealed together for time and all eternity. As a new couple, they relocated to Calgary, AB.

Colleen and Byron's first child, Tyler, was born in Calgary in 1974, and the small family soon moved back north to Cherry Grove, AB. Their next four children were all born in Cold Lake, AB: Trenton (1976), Christina (1977), Cindy-Lee (1982) and Carmen (1983). The family relocated to Saskatoon, SK, in 1987, and then to Calgary, AB, in 1990, and that is where they raised their children to adulthood. Colleen and Byron moved around the province as empty nesters, living in Onoway, Cardston, Stettler, Calgary, and Airdrie.

Colleen and Byron were blessed to watch all five of their children get married and start their own families. Colleen loved all her children’s spouses and ensured their favourite snacks were stocked when they came to visit. Paula, Bonnie, Francis, Curtis, and Rob always knew their mother-in-law loved them. Colleen’s favourite title was “Grandma”. She said if she could have skipped parenthood and gone straight to being a grandma she would have. Two predeceased grandchildren are finally getting the chance to meet their grandma.

Colleen passed peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre surrounded by her children. It was a blessing that her family members were able to thank her and say goodbye before she passed. They are comforted by the thought of Byron and Colleen reuniting without the burdens of mortality weighing on them.

Colleen will be missed every day, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew her best. Colleen is survived by her children, Tyler Hatch, Trenton Hatch, Christina Hernandez, Cindy Bullock and Carmen Martin; siblings, Kathleen Navarre, Lewis Raiche, George Raiche and John Raiche; grandchildren, Mackilla (28), Cody (27), Liam (27), Emma (26), Bailey (25), Justin (25), Damon (24), Chad (24), Samantha (24), Danielle (22), Parker (21), Jaden (19), Carter (19), Davon (18), Alisabeth (16), Katie (16), Emmalee (15), Farrell (14), Pharrell (12), Thomas (12), Brooklyn (11), Jeffrey (10), Ceira (10), Hunter (9), Nathaniel (9), Trinity (9), Allie (8), Catalina (6), LIncoln (6), Ashley (3), Liam (3), Jamal (2), and  Elijah (10 months); and great-grandchildren, Landon, Hayden, Mercie, Dominic, Mia, Letty, Barrett, Noah, Kelsey, Ivy, and Alexander. Colleen was predeceased by her husband Byron Hatch, her parents, Lewis and Shirley Raiche; her sister Corinne Raiche, and grandchildren, Lazzarus and Daron.

Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Reunion Chapel (900 Reunion Gateway NW, Airdrie, AB) on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall.

A Gathering for family and friends will be held in Colleen’s honour at the Reunion Centre in Lee Creek Campground, (242 8 Ave W, Cardston, AB T0K 0K0) on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Ms. Hatch’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service.

Please click here to join the family through Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/92517220065?pwd=3H6k86bgV1ntorFbnM43XWap9XJhH2.1

Meeting ID: 925 1722 0065

Passcode: eternal

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Colleen’s family here.

In living memory of Colleen Hatch, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.