assigned the two new volunteers to the cooking detail, where they would operate the giant Hobart mixer which was the size of an old-fashioned wringer washing machine. The mess, chaos, and laughter that they created trying to mix rather than launch food resulted in them being fired. (See Alan, you were not the only one). Armenta next assigned them to design and decorate the dining tables which they did for years. Hattie said that everyone deserved a pretty place to eat and no one should have to eat what Hattie and Judy cooked. Hattie failed miserably at most Martha Stewart projects the two undertook, but she excelled at treating everyone with dignity. Kriss Burns, another Wah Dah who really was Martha Stewart (and Hattie’s volunteer partner) said she loved the way Hattie made each Wah Dah feel unique and valued and further noted that Hattie's positive, upbeat spirit was that of a truly kind, gentle soul! Lynda Griebrok remembers that Hattie's humor was sometimes dark. Bubbly, blonde, loud, zany Lynda was one of the original Raider cheerleaders in college. On a Wah Dah overnight shopping trip in San Francisco, Lynda jumped repeatedly on non-morning-person Hattie's bed and led loud shopping cheers! “Wake, Go, Shop, Share!!” Hattie said in her cranky, deep voice, "Lynda, I sleep with a gun under my pillow and it fires blonde bullets." Gloria Yasitis remembers Hattie's desire to have a clown costume to wear for Halloween. Hattie complained that she could not find one in a plus size. Gloria shopped with Hattie for the 7 yards of black glitzy fabric and made the beautiful costume for Hattie. CoCoChanel the clown was born. With her dog's matching clown collar, and wearing the clown outfit three other people could fit in with her, Hattie delivered her Halloween candy gifts to the delight of the Bank's staff! Carole Pine loved Hattie's sense of humor even if it was directed at her. Crime show nut, Detective Hattie, prodded and pried for an hour with a flashlight in Carole's eyes trying to get Carole to tell why she and
Sharyn Carroll's car arrived three hours after the rest of us when we all left Fremont at the same time. Her interrogation was hysterically funny. What were they doing in that red Corvette? Where did they go?! Hattie's crime investigations and her created scenarios for the explanation of their lateness were bizarre! Carole Pine, to her incredible resolve, never told why they were late. Susie Anderson remembers how she and Hattie loved everything Disney, and would gross us out with Disney wind-up toys, snow globes, and fuzzy slippers. Hattie was always youthful and silly and delighted when her Disney addiction annoyed us. The Brian Hughes and family Disney addiction is truly genetic. Beth Robinson loved that Hattie was a woman of kind, caring, compassionate actions, not just kind words. She was the ultimate do-gooder. When Beth finished her cancer surgery and breast removal, she was distraught. She shared her concerns with her Wah Dah sisters. Hattie said, "BETH, DON'T YOU WORRY, WE HAVE YOU. I know people in the cancer business". Within days, Beth had an appointment with a store specializing in bras and prosthetics. What exceeded expectations was that Hattie went with Beth to her appointment, and held her hand every step of the way. Judy Carre loved that Hattie was first a family person, a wife, and a mother. Because she was totally dedicated to her Wah Dah sisters, she also mothered them. When our friend, Susie Anderson, had a terrible horseback riding accident and fractured her pelvis while in Monterey riding with her Wah Dah sisters, Judy remembered how Hattie's "mom instinct" kicked in. Susie had to stay in the Monterey hospital while the other 12 Wah Dahs returned to their homes after a few days. Hattie jumped into action and called Dennis to join her to stay with Susie for four or five more days until Susie's daughter could arrive to care for Susie. Hattie would not let Susie be alone. Hattie exceeded expectations of caring and compassion. So now you've heard who Hattie was to them and how much we loved her! As Gloria said, "Hattie was the crown jewel in our Wah Dah Tiara.” The rest of us
were there just to keep her company. Lydia Thompson reminded us that Hattie lives on in our hearts and elsewhere when she said, "Our one-of-a-kind, joyful Hattie was loved by so many but by now she is probably in the midst of starting a children's camp in heaven." Now, my thoughts... What I love most about Hattie was that I had the honor of spending 64 years with someone who had the very best taste in people. You've heard about some of the WAH DAHS, but her collection of fabulous giving, loving people was much broader than that group. As a playground supervisor, she spotted Ron Sabraw illegally riding his bike. I'm sure her correction of his bad behavior led to his superior court judgeship. She shepherded the young Brad Anderson. She valued the friendship of Saint Carmen Agcaoili the First. She won the undying, loving care of her caretakers, including Virgie, Errol, and Israel, because, like the rest of us, she loved us openly and first.
What I loved second most about Hattie is that she taught us how to exceed expectations. Wah Dah Sharyn Carroll remembered how Hattie organized the annual joint Hattie/Sharon birthday parties. It was our party day, but Hattie arranged for makeup artists and hairdressers to do makeovers for her 13 Wah Dah sisters, loaned them her beautiful heirloom jewelry, and then had us professionally photographed. Giving, for Hattie, not getting, was what brought her joy. Hattie, your family, and friends celebrate you and honor you for a world made kinder and more loving by your presence, but mostly by your ACTION. Hattie, your loving life, so well-lived, exceeded all expectations. Sharon Jones
10 CELEBRATING HATTIE HYMAN-HUGHES
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FREMONT BANK
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