Lucille Margaret (Pulte) Hatcher

Lucille Margaret Pulte Hatcher, 92, of Farmington, died June 4, 2014.
Born November 27, 1921 in Gainesville, Texas to Alexander and Elizabeth Pulte, Lucille was the sixth of eight children. Studious and shy she was nonetheless very comfortable and popular on the dance floor and attracted the eye and eventually stole the heart of eligible bachelor Leon S. Hatcher, her future husband. Although she won a scholarship to study at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, upon her graduation from St. Mary's High School in Gainesville, Lucille followed her heart and married Leon on May 13, 1940, at the age of eighteen. She was at his side for the next sixty-nine years bringing six daughters and two sons into the family.

The nature of Leon's work required frequent moves in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming. Each new place challenged Lucille to make a home and meet the needs of the growing family. She loved and served her family, but her generosity in spirit extended to the community in which she lived. She volunteered her time leading scouting groups, teaching catechism, organizing and guiding music for guitar masses, delivering Meals on Wheels and serving at Daily Bread. While the family resided in Chama, she started and operated a Thrift Store for St. Patrick's Church.

Lucille had a love of learning that was an inspiration to her children, and gifted them with her love of music. In her spare time she could play a pretty sharp hand of Bridge. She and Leon (Hatch) shared a love of the outdoors and a perfect day of picnicking in Colorado would often be followed by bird-watching in the backyard, or sitting out under the stars.

Lucille is survived by children Elaine Fransen, Carol Walters, Sam (Katherine) Hatcher, Steve (Jean) Hatcher, Izzy (Doug) Bracken, Ginny (Bob) Rivera, and Chris (Ron) Neher; grandchildren Diane (Curt) Smith, Scott (Anita) Fransen, Brenda Price, Cheryl Gregg, Ray Walters (Elena Cortez), Terri Walters (Dennis McCarthy), Alyssa Walters (Gary Gordon), Greg (Cindy) Hatcher, Jason (Erin) Hatcher, Megan (Chris) Souther, Amy (Sam) Caldwell, Cara (Ed) Blair, Paul (Leslie) Hatcher, Bethany Hatcher, Jacqui (Jay) Chappell, Cassie Trujillo (Vicente Escalante), Mandy Gonzalez, Andy Montoya, Dan Hatcher, Mike Hatcher, Burton (Monica) Bracken, Bennett Bracken, Angela Rivera, Rachel Rivera, Mallory Neher, and Grace Neher; forty-eight great-grandchildren, 2 Great Great-grandchildren; and sister Anna Mae Ratliff Gullett of Terrell, Texas.

Lucille is preceded in death by her husband Leon S. Hatcher (2009), daughter Hilma Montoya, Sons-in-law Andy Montoya and Doug Fransen, and Great-grandchild Kevin Fransen; siblings Raymond Pulte, Helen Strategier, Herbert Pulte, Dorothy Huchton, Jerome Pulte, and Delores Pulte.

The Rosary will be at 7:00 pm Sunday June 8, at Brewer Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E Ute St., Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday, June 9, at Sacred Heart Church 414 N Allen, Farmington with Father Tim Farrell as celebrant. Please join the family at the reception following mass at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Cremation will take place and innichement will be at a later date.

Memorial Donation suggestions are Alzheimer's Association at http://act.alz.org/goto/Lucille_Hatcher, and Catholic Charities, by mail, please put "in memory of Lucille Hatcher" in memo field of the check and send to CCUSA, PO Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the staffs of the Bee Hive Memory Loss Home and the Northwest New Mexico Hospice for the extraordinary tenderness and kindness shown to Lucille.

Lucille's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., (505) 325-8688