Betsy Hackman

Mary "Betsy" O'Brien Hackman, age 69, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on July 1, 2026. Born on May 30, 1957, in Rochester, New York, to the late John and Rosemary O'Brien, Betsy lived a life defined by boundless love, quiet strength, and an unwavering devotion to the people she held dear.

Betsy spent her early years in Rochester before her family relocated to Guadalajara, Mexico, for her father’s career at Kodak. She later attended St. Mary's Hall School in San Antonio, Texas, before enrolling at Duke University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 1979. That degree launched a remarkable career in healthcare that would span more than four decades. Betsy served as the Director of Infectious Diseases at Emory University Hospital System in Atlanta, Georgia, where her brilliant, analytical mind guided complex protocols and shaped the lives of countless patients and colleagues. She retired in 2022 after over 40 years of continuous, distinguished service.

On October 31, 1987, Betsy married the love of her life, Collier Hackman, and together they built a home in Brookhaven, Georgia, where they lived for over 30 years. She welcomed her first daughter, Mary "Christy" Christina in 1989 followed by Erin Elizabeth in 1992. Betsy poured herself into motherhood with a wholehearted devotion that seemed effortless, though it was anything but ordinary. She was a constant, joyful presence at Murphy Candler Park, Our Lady of the Assumption, and St. Pius X, shuttling her daughters to every activity and school function, always showing up fully. Her proudest achievement, however, was being "Gram" to her beloved grandsons, Noah and Charlie, with whom she shared her love of painting, arts and crafts and the simple joy of being together.

To know Betsy was to be loved by Betsy. She brought a light full of joy, love, and laughter to everything she touched. She was the calming force in a world full of chaos and uncertainty, a woman whose warmth could fill any room and whose care extended to everyone around her. Her brilliance was as multifaceted as she was, moving effortlessly from solving complex infectious disease challenges at work to silk painting on the beaches of Mexico. She was a true culinary expert in the kitchen, capable of transforming whatever leftovers happened to be in the fridge into something extraordinary. She loved a glass of wine, the feel of sand between her toes, and the music of Michael Jackson and Barry White. Most of all, she loved being a helper.

Betsy was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Brookhaven, where she actively participated in RCIA, supper club parties, and church small groups. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she carried it into every act of service, every moment of caregiving, and every expression of love. She now rests in the eternal peace of her Lord, reunited with her husband, Collier, and her parents, John and Rosemary.

Betsy is survived by her daughters, Christy Conklin (Matthew Conklin) and Erin Hackman; her grandsons, Noah Conklin and Charlie Conklin; and her siblings, David, Tom, Joan and Connie O'Brien.

Services will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Brookhaven, GA on July 24, 2026, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Betsy's memory by being a helper, just as she always was.