Deborah Ann Hacker

Debi Hacker lost her brave struggle against pancreatic cancer the morning of Friday, September 13, 2024, at the age of 69. She also was known as the dcatmom - taking care of a variety of abused and thrown-away cats and kittens. She had recently retired, intending to devote her time to her family, sewing, knitting, and completing numerous partially finished cross-stitch patterns.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1955 to her now deceased parents, Ann Daniels and Byron Thome Hacker, she traveled extensively growing up, spending time in Middle and South America. Returning to the US she attended McLean High School in Fairfax, Virginia and then studied Anthropology/Archaeology at Tulane University where she graduated.

Moving to Charleston, SC she worked as an Assistant Archaeologist at The Charleston Museum and subsequently worked as the Conservation Administrator at the South Carolina State Museum. She also briefly taught preservation at the South Carolina University. But most of her professional life was devoted to working with her husband at the Columbia Chicora Foundation doing archaeology and cemetery preservation. She traveled to Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Montana, Oklahoma, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, and Tennessee working in cemeteries and providing preservation workshops, usually with her husband, Mike. Her work in St. Augustine, Florida introduced her to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Other than cats, alligators were her favorite "critter."

Perhaps her favorite project was the excavation of a series of 18th century family vaults at Orton Plantation on the North Carolina coast over several years. It combined two of her most loved things - physical anthropology and alligators. But looking her name up on a site such as WorldCat reveals that she coauthored nearly 150 publications on archaeology.

People probably first recognized her because of the red bandana and jeans that she wore daily. It has been years since she voluntarily put on a dress (or "fancy clothes"). She was incredibly meticulous - a trait that was always visible in her archaeological studies, as well as 16 and 18-count cross stitch. She was also an avid reader of mysteries, the more involved the better, also collecting old children's books. Her house is lined with bookshelves holding hundreds of paperback mysteries.

Debi never felt it was necessary to "do things" the way society wanted. She and her husband rarely attended social events, but would always welcome friends to visit. She also never refused to help anyone who came to her with a problem - whether it be kittens that needed bottle feeding, a family tragedy, or a homeless person needing help. Before retirement, she worked with both battered women at Sistercare, and disaster victims with the American Red Cross.

Debi leaves behind a husband of nearly 40 years, Mike Trinkley, and two daughters, Natalie and Amelia Norton. Also surviving are her two brothers, David and Scott Hacker.

A memorial service, celebrating her life - not mourning her death - will be held in the near future.

Please refrain from sending flowers (Debi was always clear on this issue). However, individuals interested in commemorating her life are asked to contribute to Planned Parenthood, Sistercare, Carolina Wildlife Center, or Pawmetto Lifeline.