Kathleen (Nella Kathleen) Shelley Hatch, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 in Orem, Utah. She was born in Clear Creek, Utah on August 26th,1940 to George Heber Shelley and Orba Nella Mower Shelley. She was the baby sister of 7 brothers and sisters who adored and spoiled her.

She loved growing up in the mountains of Clear Creek where she enjoyed many adventures. These included riding horses, fishing, playing games with friends, and walking to meet her dad as he came home from his work in the mines at lunchtime.

Her family moved to Provo when she was 9 years old. She attended Timpanogos Elementary School, which was an exciting new experience in contrast to her one-room school in Clear Creek. She attended Dixon Junior High and loved being a Bulldog at Provo High School, graduating in 1958. These were very fun and social years as she loved to participate in dances, go to athletic events, and any other fun activity she could find.

She met her sweetheart, Aurell, in May of 1957. She was on a blind date with his cousin and he was with another girl. Half way through the date, they decided to switch partners. Though she didn't remember how or why this happened, she was sure glad they did! They married 2 years later, on June 25th, 1959 in the Manti Utah Temple. They called each other "Punkin" and together they worked hard, played hard and took loving care of each other. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage before he passed away November 17, 2015. She treasured her knowledge that they would be together for eternity and she looked forward to the time she could see him again.

They made their first home in Provo by the river. While living there, they worked hard to realize their dream of building a home in Orem and meticulously planned every detail of their future home and garden. Five years later, they moved into this home, and enjoyed the ½ acre "Garden of Eden" they created together. After 10 years of marriage without being able to have a child, "we put our order in for a baby with the Relief Society". On October 2, 1970, they received a call that there was a baby boy just for them. They were able to pick him up that very afternoon. What a thrill it was for them to bring home their baby boy, Lamoyn, who they had waited and prayed so long for. They were excited to get pregnant in 1974 but were very sad the baby died before birth. She loved being a mother and put her heart and soul into mothering Lamoyn as well as every other child she could.

In 1978, they found a wonderful home with lots of land to beautify and harvest. They went to work making this their dream home and quickly realized that the Lord had guided them to this beautiful place and wonderful new friends who would bless their lives forever.

Kathleen loved all things homemaking. She was blessed with many talents and used them to bless others. She did great handwork in crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching, quilting and made many beautiful handmade gifts for friends, neighbors and family. Aurell worked hard in their garden and orchard which produced a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Kathleen worked hard to preserve the harvest and became a master at bottling. Although she loved it all, she especially loved mustard pickles, pickled beets, and chili sauce. They loved sharing the fruits of their labors, both fresh and bottled with others. She was a great cook and loved to cook for others. Some of the favorites and most requested were ham and bean soup made with ham hock, pork chops with bread and milk gravy, and Thanksgiving dinners. Her family enjoyed the outdoors and spent as much time as they could camping in the homemade Corvair Camper that Aurell made. She loved to collect rocks wherever she went and would bring them home to her yard. One rock was so big, it took three people to pry it out of the ground and carry it to the car. She could point to any rock in her flower bed and tell you where it came from.

Kathleen had a huge heart and loved everyone, but she especially loved children and they loved her! Even as a young teenager, she would go to her neighbor's houses to play with their babies and take them for walks. She cared for, nurtured and helped raise many children as their grandma, aunt, friend and neighbor. She treated each as if they were her own Even in her last years, she talked about being baby hungry and her biggest smiles came from being with babies.

She enjoyed being with her friends and family. She loved Wednesday lunch and shopping dates with her sister and nieces, going treasure hunting at DI with her friends, going for long rides especially in the mountains, hosting dinners, having Friday night sleep-overs with families, having family home evening nights with her friends, and laughing.

She loved serving in the Church, no matter her calling. She particularly loved serving in Primary and Young Women. Her Beehive girls adored her and she did them. She also loved serving as an ordinance worker in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

When asked what she did, she would say "I'm a caregiver, that's who I am". This was a manifestation of her huge heart. She offered years of selfless care for her mom Orba, and her Mom and Dad Hatch, Ileen and Gilbert, as they aged and became dependent on her. Her greatest act of love and service was caring for her Punkin', Aurell, in the years before his passing as he became blind and developed dementia.

She spent her last 3 years at Covington Assisted Living in Orem, Utah. Moving to a place where she could receive more assistance did not stop her from being a caregiver. She would often exclaim "I love it here! I love it! I love it! I love it!" Her sweet dog, Molly, was able to live there with her and brought her great joy! Kathleen made friends with other residents, the staff and anyone who visited and quickly became a favorite. She had a special ability to take new residents under her wings and made them feel loved in her unique and magical way. It didn't take long before she was asked to be on the welcoming committee. She loved that role and proudly shared that she was told "Well, you're already doing it, so we might as well make it official". She had a gift of knowing who needed a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on and spent many hours friendshipping this way. She enjoyed the youthful enthusiasm of the aides and med techs and loved listening to their stories, making them smile, and giving them advice.

She developed many sweet and meaningful relationships in her time at Covington. She often talked to Shelley about how those who she met were placed in her life for a reason - she was meant to help them in her special way, and they blessed her life in specific and tender ways.

She had a fancy walker that earned her the nickname "Hot Mama". She often forgot to take it along, which led to loving reminders from the staff and the sweet and funny interactions with them.

Kathleen would say "I just love everybody!", and this is the essence of her. She naturally accepted loved people as they were and treated them as the best version of themselves.

So, to Kathleen, we say "Everybody just loves you!". We invite you to honor Kathleen by sharing love and a good laugh with someone today.

She is preceded in death by: Her Punkin' Aurell; her parents, George and Orba Shelley; Aurell's parents Gilbert and Ileen Hatch; her siblings and their spouses - Heber (Sharleen), Ruby (Reo) Young, Wanda (Keith) Grames, Merlin (Berneice), Donald (VonCeile), and Samuel, and Aurell's brother Orville (Gail) Hatch.

She is survived by her son, Lamoyn; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sweet dog Molly; her many nieces and nephews who all claim her as their favorite aunt; and many other loved ones who she considered family as she reached out and opened her heart regardless of genetics.

Her niece, Shelley, was blessed to be her guardian for the last few years of her life. This was a joyful relationship for them both. This special privilege strengthened Shelley's aspiration to become just like her Aunt Kaffeine and carry on her Christ-like love.

She appreciated the loving care she was offered by some of the best doctors - specifically Dr. Von Welch, Dr. Michael Lloyd, Dr. Richard Corey, and Dr. Drew Bitters - as well as excellent nurses and care providers at First Choice Home Health and Hospice - Alesha, Crystal, Rachel and Brooklyn.

We offer our love and appreciation, as an extension of hers, for the entire staff at Covington, who richly blessed her life as they offered genuine and loving care.

A webcast of services will be available at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczMTEyNjYxODMzNjI0NSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==