Jane Hatcher

Jane Rhodes Hatcher passed away in Gainesville GA on June 8, 2024, at the age of 81. She was born in Atlanta GA on December 3, 1942. She lived in the Atlanta area all her life and is pre-deceased by her parents George and Winnie Rhodes, her husband of 38 years Charles Graham Hatcher, her youngest daughter Mary Elizabeth Schaeffer and son-in-law Mark Prins. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Alison and Michael Booch, Debbie and Dave Kamienski, Michael Schaeffer, brothers George Rhodes (Joanie), Tom Rhodes (Linda), and her grandchildren, Nick and Jess Kamienski, Emily Prins, Andrew, Quinn, and Brian Schaeffer.

Jane decided to pursue her college degree at Georgia Tech when her girls were all in school in 1974. It could have been a disadvantage as she was the only woman in her classes and much older than her classmates. She would invite her classmates over for a home cooked meal and study sessions which became a regular thing, and she earned the respect of her professors and peers. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1978. She soon received her Professional Engineer's License and during her career became an expert consultant in Piping Stress Analysis working in many Nuclear Power Plants around the country.

She enjoyed traveling, especially to beaches. She spent many summers on family vacations at Surfside Beach, SC, the family lake house on Lake Seed, and many family trips to the Caribbean, Alaska, and many other locations. She fiercely loved her dogs over the years (Beau and Jerry exceptionally so) as well as a love of all animals except for (in her words) the "no legged ones"!

Holidays were always special with Grandma; the grandchildren have fond memories of Easter Egg Hunts, Fourth of July boat parades at Lake Seed, watching the Thanksgiving Parades with way too much food, Christmas stockings, and just getting together for big family meals. She was an exceptional cook and took pride in preparing food and teaching her daughters to cook as well.

She was very generous, always caring for friends, family, and serving in the nursery at church. Jane was sharp, had a great sense of humor, unique, a great example to her daughters and grandchildren, loved by us all, and she will be terribly missed.

To share in honoring Jane's life a visitation and service will be held at McDonald Funeral Home (20 Gibson Rd. Dahlonega GA) on Sunday, June 23rd. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 pm, Service at 3 pm, with refreshments following. Please bring your stories and memories to share with those that will greatly miss Jane, she meant so much to us all.