Beth Hatch

Janenne Beth Hatch was born to Paul and Edna Mae (Thomas) Freeland on December 28, 1966 in Independence, Missouri, where she grew up, lived much of her adult life, and where she died at home Thursday, August 22, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband John Hatch, and her siblings: Elaine Swanigan (Galen), Thomas (Laurie) Freeland, Janelle Irwin (Tim), six nieces, four nephews, five great nieces and three great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Gabriel Michael Paul Hatch, and her parents.

In 1985, Beth graduated from William Chrisman High School and then attended Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. She and John met her first year at AU and were seldom seen on campus apart. Together, they enjoyed going to concerts, finding new restaurants and riding bikes. After she graduated in 1989 with a degree in Marketing, she and John were married by her father in Independence. They celebrated their 35th anniversary on August 12th.

In 1990, she and John moved from Anderson to Sugar Creek before returning to Independence. During her life, she worked in the area at AGCO, Punch! Software, Folk Alliance International, and Kansas City Public Schools as a tutor. No matter what job she had, Beth was a hard worker, conscientious, and loved by all that worked with her.

Raised in the Church of God where her father was pastor, Beth’s faith was important to her. Serving at Hope Chapel, Lee’s Summit was one of the many ways she lived that faith, and over the years she led women’s Bible study, children’s church, youth group, and outreach ministry, and she was also a singer in leading worship.

She was known for her engaging smile, her acceptance of others and careful attention to their conversations, and her eye for the artistic. What she loved most was spending time with John, family, working on crafts (including, most recently, sewing needle books as gifts for loved ones and junk journaling), writing on beautiful stationery, and reading.

A funeral service will be at Hope Chapel, Lee’s Summit and she will be buried at Newcomer’s Floral Hills in Kansas City.

Donations can be made to Project Linus. Beth made and donated many blankets to this wonderful cause. Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children in the U.S. from ages 0-18 who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need: https://www.projectlinus.org/

Beth will be missed by all who knew and loved her.