Obituary of Jean Hatcher Sayer

Jean Hatcher Sayer

November 2, 1931 – February 12, 2021

Meridian, ID

Gertrude “Jean” Beetham was born to Charles Scott and Carrie Fay Beetham on November 2, 1931, in Kersey, CO.  Her brother Charles Scott Beetham, Jr. was born when Jean was 3 years old. When Jean was 13, her Dad passed away. Her Mom took a position as a schoolteacher in Ellicott, CO. Here, her Mom married Murriel A. “Buster” Titus. Buster was a wonderful Dad and Grandpa to Fay’s children and grandchildren.  Jean was very bright, graduating from Ellicott High School in 1948, at the age of 16. 

Jean married Anthony Leroy Hatcher in December 1948. While Tony was working in Fairplay, CO, their son, James Ross was born in October 1949.  While Tony was working in Murray, UT, their son, Anthony Gene was born in February 1953.  While living at Ferncroft Lodge, north of Banks, ID, their son, Steven Vern was born in May 1955.  After Steve’s birth, they bought a house in Crouch, ID from Val and Marie Valentine.  Their daughter, Terry Terese was born in August 1956.  Thirteen months later, Tony and Jean divorced. Jean’s parents helped her to keep the home in Crouch where she raised her family with no financial support from Tony.  When Terry, as an adult, was talking to the family dentist, he stated that his memory of Jean was what a great job she was doing, raising her family as a single Mom. Jean worked at the Longhorn in Crouch from 1961 to 1964.  She and others taught Dick Hanley how to cook when he bought the Longhorn.  Jean’s parents gave her her Grandpa’s car after he passed.  After this, she was able to get a job with the US Forest Service in Garden Valley.  The year after Terry graduated from GVHS, Jean transferred with the Forest Service to the Wallace Ranger District in Wallace, ID.  Soon after moving there, she met Fred L. Sayer. They were married on June 13, 1980.  He was very kind and generous to Jean’s children and grandchildren.  When Hecla Mining Company, where Fred worked as an Accountant, moved its headquarters to Coeur d’Alene, Jean transferred with the Forest Service to the Fernan Ranger District in CDA. She retired from the Forest Service in May 1994.  Fred passed away in October 1997.  In March 1999, health issues caused Jean to move to Meridian near her daughter, Terry. Jean joined the Meridian United Methodist Church, where she made many friends.  She was a very strong and independent lady. When vision issues caused her to lose her ability to drive, her son, Steve began driving her to church weekly, until he was killed in a vehicle collision in June 2019.  After that, her son, Gene took over driving her to church. Significant health issues started in December 2013. With her daughter, Terry’s assistance, she was able to remain healthy enough to continue living in her own home, never having to live in a care facility. In November 2020, she entered St. Luke’s Hospice Care. The Hospice Personnel, Alison, Joan, Norm, and others were so wonderful and supportive to Jean and Terry through this journey. Cindy and Starr with Exceptional Caregivers were honored to spend time with Jean in January and February. 

Jean enjoyed her church friends, and her Bible Study friends.  She enjoyed sewing and crocheting.  She taught her granddaughters to crochet.  She made beautiful afghans. She was a wonderful cook.  When she lived in Garden Valley, her sons and their friends would bring home fish they had caught in the Payette River and cleaned, and she would pan fry them. They were always excellent. Her kids and grandkids enjoyed her home cooked meals when they visited, as did her husband Fred, who would try to come home daily from work for her delicious lunches and a bit of time with her to break up the hectic day. Jean loved make-up and took great delight in letting her granddaughters try on every shade of lipstick or nail polish she had when they visited. Jean loved playing cards, and the family spent many late nights playing rummy with her and Fred, eventually teaching the grandkids so they could join in the fun.  She made Sun Tea for the family and they’d sit on the back porch, chatting through the afternoon as hummingbirds fought over the feeders, and golfers occasionally hit an errant golf ball into their backyard. She always had great stories and a sweet sense of humor, and it flowed out to all who met her. She also always had a fun reply when you greeted her, for example if you asked how she was, she’d reply with a smile saying “Oh the same. Still fat and sassy,” or “I’m still hanging in here.” Or at her doctor’s appointments when they asked how she was feeling, she would reply “With my fingers.” We love thinking of how she greeted God when she got to Heaven. She was always an avid reader, usually having 2 or 3 books going at the same time. Her grandchildren will miss her hugs where she would inhale deep and hold them like she was trying to fuse them to her, and then she'd lean back with them still in her arms and say "Oh! I love you." She surfed the internet on her computer, keeping up with news from N. Idaho.  She even began paying her bills online before her daughter!  She liked trips to Jackpot and to Garden Valley, with Terry.  She enjoyed going out to eat.  She and Terry went to dinner often, and she had her favorite dish at each restaurant.  Her last dinner out, was her birthday dinner of Prime Rib at the Stagecoach in Garden City, with Terry and Bob, days before she entered Hospice care.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Fred L. Sayer, her brother, Charles Scott Beetham, Jr., her son, Steven Vern Hatcher, and grandsons Gary Servo and Kelly James Hatcher. She was also preceded by Fred’s daughter, Paula Curley, and granddaughter, Dana Sayer.

She is survived by her children, James R. Hatcher and wife Chris of Helena, MT; son, A. Gene Hatcher and wife, Teresa of Star, ID; daughter Terry T. McCarthy and husband Robert Dickson of Meridian, ID; grandchildren, G. Patrick Hatcher and wife Ashley of Tucson, AZ; Jamie L. Hatcher of Montrose, CA; Jessica J. Dugandzic and husband Kazimir of Valley Village, CA; and Charlotte C. Hatcher of Star, ID; great granddaughter, Symphony Hatcher of Star, ID; nephew, C. Scott Beetham III and family of Colorado Springs, CO; and her Aunt Charlotte Mundy and family of Elbert, CO.  She is also survived by Fred’s son, Charles L. Sayer and wife, Delora of Reno, NV; and grandchildren, Katherine S. Hayes of Choctaw, OK; Rick Curley of Chandler, AZ; and Josh Curley of Redmond, OR. She is also survived by extended family and friends.

No services will be held at this time.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Garden Valley High School Alumni Scholarship Fund at Garden Valley High School; 1053 Banks Lowman Road, Garden Valley, ID 83622