Elizabeth Ann Hatfield, known as Ann to her friends and Nanny to her family, passed away Friday morning, July 19, 2024.
Born July 31, 1936, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, to parents Harold Peacock and Annie Goldsmith, Ann grew up during World War II. She survived the Blitz in part to her older sister Joan’s service in the Women’s Army Corps as a spotter on a Bofors Anti-Aircraft gun. In August of 1955, she married Robert L. Hatfield of Indianapolis before immigrating to the United States in February of 1956. She became a U.S. citizen in 1963. They had two daughters, Elaine Pickering (Randy) and Dianne Combs (Bill).
Robert (Bob) preceded her in death in 1981.
Professionally, Ann relied on her skills as a typist to work for the Johnson County Superior Court as a legal secretary and court reporter. After working for the courts, Ann owned and operated a gas station and then a mobile home park in Franklin, Indiana with her husband.
Ann participated in her children’s lives by being a Scout leader, 4-H volunteer and a band and choir parent. After Robert’s death in 1981, Ann volunteered with TCM in Austria, housekeeping at a summer seminary for Romanian pastors. Her volunteer work continued in 2000 teaching English in China and then later in Russia with her sister. She volunteered closer to home as a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, now Newfields, from 1993 to 2002. Similarly, in 2010 she traveled with her daughter Dianne and grandson Bailey to New Orleans to build homes for those who lost everything from Hurricane Katrina. She has previously volunteered at Wesley Thrift Shop, Mary Ludwig Clinic, and various other places in Crawfordsville. She is well remembered for her works of charity, her kindness, and willingness to help those in need.
Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Annie; brother John; and sister Joan.
Ann is survived by daughters, Elaine June Pickering and Dianne Combs; six grandchildren, including Heather Hatfield, Bailey Combs, Robert Combs and Alice-Ann Combs, along with Nick Zimmerman (Lydia) and Sam Venable; as well as two great-grandchildren, Addis Helms and Arya Newlin. There are several family members still in the UK and New Zealand.
Services will be held at St. Stephen the First Martyr Orthodox Church, 801 Whitlock Ave., Crawfordsville. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Monday, July 22 at the church, followed by a prayer service at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 23 at the church. Hunt & Son Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, please bring a canned item to donate to the FISH Food Bank of Crawfordsville.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.huntandson.com.
