Jacquie Hatkoski

It has been a week now and we still are waiting for the home phone to ring. Mom was old school in her ways. She regularly called people, using her dog eared address book to look up numbers. Since her passing this month, at Huntsville Hospice, we have had time to reflect not only on her life but her time spent with us. Jacqueline Hatkoski (nee Vanclief) was born in Huntsville on September 5th, 1940. She was raised in Dwight and was the oldest of four siblings. After completing Huntsville High School, she attended Teacher's College and began her teaching career in a one room school house in Bent River. She met her future husband, Jack Hatkoski, (deceased 30/11/2016) while catching rides with him back to Dwight from his teaching position at Parry Sound High School. Marriage led to a family with the birth of Richard and then Janice and a Kindergarten teaching position at Irwin Memorial Public School in Dwight. Somehow, in addition to being a teacher, mother, friend of many and local volunteer, she attended Laurentian University to earn her B.A. It was a very proud moment for our family when mom received her degree in 1980 after 10 years of correspondence and part time studies. Jacqueline continued to teach Kindergarten at Irwin until she retired. Very happy to have more time to spend with her grandchildren, Taylor, Dana and Sophia, she also became involved with Stewart Memorial Church in Dwight and began travelling abroad with Jack or with friends. At times, it seemed that Jacqueline was busier in retirement than when she was working. We couldn't keep track of where she was going next. One of their southern trips brought them to Tucson AZ where they discovered a wonderful retirement community and at which they purchased a retirement unit. She and Jack would spend winters there, enjoying their friends, warmer climate and air that was good for her asthma. After a successful battle with breast cancer, mom seemed to be just getting back into her groove after the death of Jack, organizing renovations to the Dwight home, planning trips abroad and preparing for the winter in Tucson. Unfortunately, her cancer returned this winter which was inoperable and terminal. Bravely, calmly and with inspiring confidence, she accepted her situation and almost immediately, began planning her final arrangements. She was fortunate to move into Huntsville Hospice on February 5th. For the next 6 days, we were privileged to host visitors, friends and relatives in a sometimes raucous, sing song, story telling, food sharing homage to Jacqueline's life. With her extended family by her side and under the care of the Hospice's knowledgeable, compassionate staff, she passed away peacefully at 5:15pm on the 12th of February. Celebration of Life for Marion Jacqueline Hatkoski will be held Saturday, May 26th, 2018 at the Dwight Community Centre from 1pm to 4pm - A small ceremony will commence at 1:00 pm. A light lunch and get together to follow. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Hospice Huntsville. Arrangements entrusted to the Billingsley Funeral Home.