Thomas
Jefferson High School
Class of 1960
Margie Smith Hatcher
In Memory
Music
Director At Tee Jay Dies
Highly Praised by Supt. R. J. Mourer
The
Council Bluffs public school system lost one of its most prominent instructors
Sunday when Mrs. Margie Smith Hatcher of 3511 Avenue G died at a local hospital.
She had undergone surgery Friday.
Mrs.
Hatcher, 37, was vocal music director at Thomas Jefferson High School.
She had held the position since 1947.
Her student choral groups appeared frequently in school events and were
in demand for programs sponsored by local organizations.
She
was married last July to Donald R. Hatcher.
Her parents are the Rev. and Mrs. Mearl C. Smith of Springfield, NE.
Bernard
U. Bolton, TJ Principal, said Mrs. Hatcher had postponed surgery until the close
of school for the Christmas vacation.
She
had prepared a number of musical presentations for her choristers prior to the
vacation period,” he explained, “Everyone at TJ has been shocked by the loss
of Mrs. Hatcher as a personal friend.
I
know of no teacher who has rendered greater service to the children in our
schools,” said Supt. Russel J. Mourer.
“She had the interest of the children at heart and will be missed
greatly by present and past students well as by the entire city.”
Mourer added, I fear she be almost irreplaceable in field.
Mrs.
Hatcher was born at Alliance, NE and was graduated from York, NE High School.
She had a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University
and a Master’s Degree in musical education from the University of Nebraska.
Before
coming to Council Bluffs, she taught in several Nebraska public schools.
She attended the Methodist Church and was a member of the PEO Sisterhood
and Mu Phi Epsilon and Sigma Alpha Iota sororities.
Besides
her parents, she is survived by her husband, Donald R. Hatcher; stepdaughter,
Mrs. Nancy (Frank) Thomas of Council Bluffs: step-grandson; grandmother, Mrs. W.
E. Caldwell of Springfield, NE.
Funeral
services will be at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, at Broadway Methodist Church with the Rev.
Glenn Parrott, pastor, officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Her
body will be at Meyer Chapel until noon Tuesday, when it will be removed to the
church.
The
family suggested memorials be made to TJ or
to the Broadway Methodist Church.