Elva Hatch

Elva McBride Hatch Obituary

Elva Mcbride Hatch passed from this existence to the next on the 31^st of December 2015.  Elva was born the eleventh child of Samuel and Eliza Jane McBride July 14, 1925. She married LaVor J. Hatch on the 20th of April 1944 in the Logan LDS temple and together they had seven sons and helped raise a foster son: Stephan (NoraLee) Hatch of College Station, Texas , Wade (Janet) Hatch of Coarsegold, California, Darren (LoaLee) Hatch of Franklin, Idaho, Owen W. Hatch of Greeley, Colorado , Douglas (Susie) Hatch Burien, Washingtom, Kent C. Hatch of Logan, Utah, Blake (Janet) Hatch of Lewiston, Utah, and Emery and Lorraine Jacquez of Farmington, New Mexico.

A difficult start does not make a difficult end. It is the heart alone that makes the measure of a life. Born at two and a half pounds to a mother who was passing, Elva wasn’t thought to be able to live. Taken in by an aunt and uncle who furnished a shoebox bed, handkerchiefs for diapers and the warm shelf of an “Old Home Comfort” stove for an incubator, and lots and lots of love, little Elva’s life began.

When the medical profession pronounced she’d not survive, and even if she did, she’d never walk or ever bear children, they failed, it seems, to see her strength of heart. Few expected much from this fragile, trembling little expectancy, adrift in a dangerous world, but the few who hoped, hoped large.

Three women, an aunt and two cousins (now become mother and sisters) hovered about this little one like human angels, and with an almost unimaginable depth of warmth and watchful care, they brought her through.

She had survived.

And ever since, she thrived.

In first grade she felt shy and out of place, sat in the schoolhouse windowsills at recess and hardly ever spoke to anyone, but in her second year, she “joined the human race”. At about the same time her older sister gave her a gift of a small book of “Shakespeare for the Young” which inspired a lifelong passion for literature and poetry. She began writing little poems and skits which her teacher had her perform or direct, once every week.  And because she was a humble, gracious child, she grew in the esteem of her classmates as well. Throughout her school years she was usually at the top of her class, academically, and as she displayed a supportive and kindly spirit to others, she finally found her place in the world.

Mom knew how to give: a lifetime of church service, often in leadership positions, a full-time LDS mission to Ireland, 18years as the Costume Mistress at U.S.U. where she made thousands of costumes for Utah .State Theatre and the Old Lyric Repertory Theatre, decades as a 4-H leader, countless hours of civic service for many years and in many ways. But these were only sideline occupations. Mom always felt her mission in life was to love, and in this endeavor she succeeded beyond all human bounds. For her, the greater good was her family: her husband and her seven sons, and then an eighth, and then their wives, and then their children and their children’s children, these were her cares and her joys.

When it comes to the kindliness she bore toward humanity, all explanation fails.  There are no adequate superlatives to describe her attitude toward life. When Mom offered courage or comfort or counsel, you felt she had given something tangible, as if’ it were “a nice warm blanket” or “a slice of fresh-baked bread.” She always fed us with something more than food, and clothed us with something more than clothes, none ever left her presence unclothed or unfed by her care.

Mother loved all flowers, from the most elegant roses to the smallest wildwood blooms. And so it was with each of us.  She took us as she found us, and loved us as we were.  Each one was special, each one unique, and she cherished and treasured each one. Mom’s greatest joy was to bring joy to others, to ensure that they knew of their worth.  Shall we compare her to sunshine, or the life-giving rains of spring? However we might describe her, one thing is certain: she was a life-force all her own because of her unstinting and still unmeasured ability to love.

Mom possessed the uncommon understanding that love is a boundless, endless thing: the more you give it away, the more you get, the more of it you share, the more you have to keep.  And most remarkably, she brought this principle to action, every single day. You see, Elva knew the secret that makes life worthwhile: you must lead with your heart.

She has blessed us, and we have loved her dearly because she loved us dearly first.  And we shall miss her, dearly, this sweet little lady with the fearless heart. As expected, her latest cares were for her loved ones, and in typical fashion she (unexpectedly) opened her eyes and brightly said to one, “You’re mine.” And now at last a great chorus of those she has long loved echoes in fervent response, “And you are ours.”  And it was she who made it so.

 Trailing in her wake are one hundred and fifty-one living souls who’d not exist had it not been for the fighting spirit, and loving heart of this “tiny, little lady”: seven sons, thirty-three grandchildren, one hundred and eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She has lived a miracle-life, from the first to the last, with courage, foresight, fondness and faith. Our mother departed this life in the bright light of morning. The coming day, she leaves to us.

 “So softly now, like a fall of gentle snow upon still water, she has at length returned to Love, from whence she came.”

The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge so many of her latest friends at Sunrise Park, and also the attentive tender care that she received from Lisa Mitchell of Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Noon in the Franklin Idaho Stake Center with Bishop Shawn Atkinson conducting.  Friends may call Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 800 East, Preston, Idaho and Thursday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the stake center.  Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com