Hatch, Florence Dickinson

Florence Dickinson Hatch, 98, of Village Ridge, Marion, died June 29, 2011. At her request, her body was donated to the University of Iowa Anatomy Department. Burial will be at a later date at Rogers Grove Cemetery near Ely.

Survivors include her three children, Joel Dickinson of California, Brett (Lisa) Dickinson of Brownsville, Texas, and Stephanie Dickinson of New York, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Amanda Stephens and Seth Dickinson; two sisters-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Telecky of McKinney, Texas and Loretta Telecky of Mount Vernon; and six nieces and nephews.

Florence was proud of her heritage, being the last living family member of Czech settlers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emily (Buresh) Telecky; her brothers, Dr. John Telecky and the Rev. Fred Telecky; sister, Vlasta Telecky Smith; her husbands, Philip Dickinson and Gordon Hatch; infant sister, Marjorie Telecky; and a brother-in-law, Dr. Douglas Smith.

Florence was born Sept. 20, 1912, in Cedar Rapids, and was raised on a farm north of Ely. She graduated from Washington High School and Coe College. At Coe, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and the Writers Club. She did graduate work at the University of Iowa and the University of Colorado.

Florence's 28-year teaching career began in a one room school house near Ely. Her primary teaching subject was English which she taught at Linn-Mar, Roosevelt Junior High, the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, and other high schools in Iowa, Oregon, and Nevada. During World War II, she worked for three years as a full-time recreation worker for the Red Cross in Army and Navy hospitals in California and Arizona.

She was active in many churches throughout her life and taught Sunday school and sang in the choir for many years. Upon retirement, she worked as a volunteer in the Witmer Center Telecare program and tutored adults in the Lawback Reading Method through Kirkwood. She also did volunteer work for three years as a recreation worker at Piedmont Retirement Home in North Carolina and at the Good Samaritan Home in St. Louis. She was a life member of Delta Kappa Gamma teacher education sorority.

Florence leaves a lasting legacy in the lives of those she unselfishly touched and she will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be sent to Mrs. Dickinson Hatch's favorite mission charity: Serving In Mission USA, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241-7900.

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