Jeanette Darlene McHatton (née Lind), loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend
passed away on October 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's 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 towards
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, October 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
Rd. Elma, WA 98541.