Gerrie left this world for her heavenly home the afternoon of December 17, 2020 after a valiant 15 day fight with COVID. We would like to say she was surrounded by her loved ones- but that was only in spirit due to restrictions from our current pandemic.
Gerrie was born in Salt Lake City and grew up as the oldest child among 2 sisters and 3 brothers. The family moved to Provo when she was 8 and it was there she attended Brigham Young High and then Brigham Young University where she obtained her degree in early childhood education. She taught kindergarten for a few years before being set up on a blind date with Rey Hatch. Six weeks later they would be engaged and married June 5, 1959 in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Rey’s job would take them to El Paso, TX - where 1st daughter Karen was born; Crystal City, TX - where 2nd daughter Tamara was born; to Laredo, TX where 3rd daughter Geralyn was born; and 4th and 5th daughters Alene and Alysa were also born; to Mexico City, Mexico where 6th daughter Giselle was born; a few years were spent in Puerto Rico and then on to Tucson, AZ where their first and only son Rey was born. Once Rey retired, they returned to El Paso Texas where they both spent the rest of their years.
Gerrie was very active in her church, and held many callings; she was also a temple ordnance worker - and served a mission as a senior in Washington DC from 2004-2005. Once she retired from teaching - she was always busy with some knitting or quilt making in her hands. She donated hundreds (if not thousands of blankets) to The Linus Project and other worthy charities that greatly enjoyed her handiwork.
She sewed all her kids’ clothes while they were growing up- a hobby she loved; she baked tirelessly and decorated cakes; she made bread and many other baked goods, which everyone enjoyed. She loved going back once or twice a year to be re-united with her siblings and Utah roots.
She leaves behind siblings - Deanne Madsen, Raymond and Richard, and Claudia Teeples -and (previously deceased brother Harold). Her children Karen Herweg (Larry); Tamara Groat (Michael); Geralyn Rash (Paul); Alene Cardoza (Gabriel); Alysa Fisher (Jeff); Giselle Long (Steve) and Rey L. Hatch, Jr.. 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. They were not ready to say goodbye- she will be greatly missed.
Services will be private due to COVID - a memorial service will be held at a later date this summer.
