Kaitlyn Anne Hatchard

With broken hearts we announce the passing of Kaitlyn on March 26, 2014 at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax. Forever seven years old, Kaitlyn was born at the IWK on November 30, 2006. Kaitlyn has touched many people in her short life: family members, the SMA community, many doctors, nurses and caregivers and her home community of Sambro, NS. Kaitlyn is survived by her parents Timothy and Kimberley (Walker) Hatchard, her big brother Owen and her twin brother Alexander. She is also survived by maternal grandmother Cecile Atkinson-Martell (Roundhill, NS), paternal grandparents Keith and Gail (Peck) Hatchard (Lequille, NS) along with many loving cousins, aunts and uncles from around Nova Scotia and Canada. Kaitlyn bravely fought the degenerative neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 throughout her short life. The disease was able to take her muscles and physical strength but could not touch her spirit or inner strength. With the help of a very loving and supportive online community Kaitlyn conquered illness after illness with a smile on her face, all while blazing trails for SMA care in the hospital and touching the hearts of people around the world. We have cherished our time with Kaitlyn and have learned so much about life as it beamed from behind those beautiful blue eyes and mischievous grin. We take comfort in knowing her wonderful spirit is free from a body that would not work for her. We will love you forever, our amazing Kaitlyn Anne.

A memorial service to celebrate Kaitlyn's life will be held at Cruikshank's Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St, Halifax, on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 2:00pm. Family flowers only please. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kaitlyn’s name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada.

Use the following links to learn more about Kaitlyn and SMA:

http://alifeforkaitlyn.blogspot.ca/

http://www.our-sma-angels.com/kaitlynanne/