Florence D Hatchett

Florence Del Hatchett was born on March 8, 1927 in Orange, New Jersey to the late Alfred Porter Roy and Mary Louise Roy Kirkley. Florence struggled with Lewy Body dementia for five years before she transitioned peacefully on May 4, 2020 in Brick, New Jersey.

Florence spent her early years in Vauxhall, New Jersey. She attended public schools in Orange, New Jersey and graduated from Orange High School. She was the second oldest of four children, all deceased, sister Vera (Robert) Kirkley Baskerville, Alfred (Louise) Roy Kirkley and Frank (Dorothy) Delineor Kirkley.

Florence spent her young adulthood in East Orange, New Jersey and in 1946 married Robert G. Cooke. Two sons Robert Jr. and Gregory were born from this union. Florence remarried in November 27, 1965. She became a mom to sons Keith and Scott Hatchett. She and husband Thomas C. Hatchett remained married for fifty-four years. 

Florence made sure she took care of her family joining the workforce as a sale rep with Bamberger in Newark, New Jersey. Florence went on to work at the Port of Newark Navy Yard as a secretary. From there she worked at the VA Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey. Florence’s later years were spent employed as a medical secretary with Schering-Plough and Merck in Bloomfield and Kenilworth, New Jersey. She retired from the company in October 1990.

Florence enjoyed a love of cooking, sports, music, and was an avid reader. She also loved traveling, visiting Canada, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Jamaica and traveling within the U. S. Her grandchildren were fortunate to be able to travel with her on some of those trips. She truly enjoyed the company of her family, siblings and their children, extended family members and friends, often hosting many a family gathering. A stylish woman Florence maintained that sense of herself into her final days.

She leaves behind many fond memories in the hearts of her husband Thomas Hatchett of Manchester, NJ; sons Gregory(Linda) Cooke of Clermont, FL,  Keith Hatchett of Hampton, VA, and Scott Hatchett of Newark, NJ;  grandchildren Robert (Denay) Cooke III of Randallstown, MD James (Brenda) Cooke Randallstown, MD,  Kara Hatchett, VA,  Gregory Cooke Jr. of Brick, NJ,  Sean Hatchett Pensacola, FL, Max Cooke Clermont, FL,  Chris Cooke Clermont, FL  and Brianna Hatchett NJ;  great-grandchildren Dante Cooke, Randallstown, MD,  Jared Cooke Randallstown, MD, Jarrell Cooke Randallstown, MD, Tavares Cooke Randallstown, MD,  Kiana Cooke Howell, NJ and Elijah Cooke, Howell, NJ;  nieces and nephews Alfred R. Kirkley, Jr (deceased), Kevin(Kym) Kirkley, East Brunswick, NJ,  Kenneth Kirkley Silver Springs, MD, Robert Blunden Piscataway, NJ,  Kim Kirkley Brooklyn, NY,  Karen Kirkley Brooklyn, NY,  Kimberley (Tracy) Hatchett-Maitland  Long Island, NY,  Karen (Rob) Pavlin NY ; great-nieces and nephews Kevin Kirkley, Jr. East Brunswick, NJ,  Kelly Kirkley NY,   Zuri Pavlin, NY,  Marley Pavlin, NY,  Lauren Maitland Long Island, NY,  Farah Musa Brooklyn, NY;  beloved cousins Benita Alwaise , NJ ,  Audrey Brown- Givens NJ  and many dear friends.  

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