“A grandchild is a gift from above. One to cherish and to love.”
Author Unknown
Kay was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, first and foremost. Her family always came first. She constantly made sacrifices to assist all of them whenever there was a need. Her grandchildren, however, held a special place in her heart. She was close with all seventeen and appreciated them all for their unique qualities and traits. Their stories and memories of Kay will keep her memory alive for years to come. She will be missed!
Flossie Kathleen was born in Owen Sound on July 9, 1942 to parents Harry and Flossie (Flood) Hodgson. The Hodgson family resided and farmed a property on the outskirts of Chatsworth. Kay walked daily to public school on the edge of town and later attended high school in Owen Sound. In the mid 50’s the family moved into Chatsworth as Harry developed Farmer’s Lung. Kay lost her father at the age of 16.
Following school, Kay began working at Heath’s Grocery Store in Chatsworth. When she was just eighteen years of age, and at work, she was introduced to a young man by the name of Thomas “Keith” Hatten. The two soon began dating with their courtship lasting two years before they were married on Monday, March 9, 1963 at the Holland Centre church manse. Kay and Keith’s family quickly grew with the additions of Steve in 1963; Marilyn in 1964; Janice in 1965; Brian who was stillborn in 1970; Kevin in 1971 and Brad in 1972.
In 1973, Keith and Kay sold their shares in the hardware store in Chatsworth and in turn bought Ward’s Pro Hardware store in downtown Chesley. They turned it into a Home Hardware and within a couple of years had added the building supply section of the business. Kay kept busy caring for her young family but as the children aged she soon spent more and more time at the store. She assisted with the bookkeeping and was a valuable asset to the team. By 1985, Keith and Kay had passed the ownership of their business onto their children. This did not mean retirement though as they re-purchased the Chatsworth business from Keith’s brother Glenn and operated it until 1989. The Hatten family continues to operate both businesses to this day.
Keith and Kay were always seen together and retirement was no different. The Hattens enjoyed travelling. They took in two oversea Hardware tours that took them to Scandinavia and Russia. They also travelled extensively to both the east and west coasts of Canada with their children. In the early 90’s, they began their annual migrations to Florida. They would spend six weeks there in the fall, drive home to be with their family at Christmas, which was extremely important to them, and return south for an additional eight weeks in the spring. When enjoying the sunny south Kay loved to take in the flea markets. Their last trip south was in 2010. The Hattens also volunteered their time, assisting with Meals on Wheels.
When not busy at work or assisting her family Kay loved to sew, bake and preserve goods. She always made time to feed the birds as well as all the local stray cats. She truly cared for animals although she never had animals of her own. She enjoyed a good cup of coffee… with cream of course and loved the opportunity to indulge in some Chinese food. She liked to read the paper in her younger years and more recently enjoyed magazines, with “Woman’s Day” and “Good Housekeeping” being two of her favourites. When it came to TV, you will never guess what Kay’s preferred. Well, wrestling of course. From a young age, every Friday night was spent travelling to her uncle’s home with her family to watch wrestling, as the Hodgson’s did not own their own television. She enjoyed this entertainment until the very end, often having it on when dropping into the house. She was also fond of NASCAR and a variety of other sports including baseball and hockey to name a few.
Kay was a real homebody who always put others first, especially her family. It began with her children and later extended to her grandchildren. She loved caring for her seventeen grandchildren, to the point where she was upset and a bit offended if she wasn’t asked. Together, they spent countless hours baking and entertaining one another. Their pets were always welcome as well. In addition to cats and dogs, Kay helped her grandchildren care for a variety of animals over the years including a chinchilla and lizard. She often questioned the grandchildren’s selection of socks, when they did not match and also made fun of their holey socks as well. She always had fun with them no matter the situation. These memories will live on for years to come.
Keith’s health declined in his later years and she lost her soulmate on January 21, 2017. She continued to carry on, but she further kept to herself in the years that followed. In the fall of 2019, Kay was diagnosed with cancer. She chose to forgo treatment and lived out her final months surrounded by family and close friends.
Kay passed away, in the presence of her family, at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 in her 78th year.
Cherished mother of Steve (Lori), Brad (Michelle), all of Chesley, Marilyn Gateman of Owen Sound, Jan (Kelly) Harrison of Elmwood and Kevin (Cathy) of Chatsworth. Kay will be dearly missed by her seventeen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren as well as her sister-in-law Thelma Hatten. She was predeceased by her husband Keith (2017), infant son Brian, and her parents Harry and Flossie (Flood) Hodgson.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Spring interment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
