Barbara Jean Hatfield (nee Kane) of Munster, Indiana peacefully passed away on May 31, 2023.   Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ellen Kane; husband, Robert Perry Hatfield; sister, Elaine Hadcock; brother, Robert Kane and brother, Gary Kane. She is survived by her son, Eric Hatfield (Kate) of Beckley, WV; daughter, Amy Johnson (Doug) of Valparaiso, IN; her grandchildren, Annika, Nolan and John. She is also survived by her brothers, John Kane (Margaret) of Los Angeles, CA and Ronald Kane (Susan) of Little Falls, NY; sister, Cynthia Ferjanec (Greg) of Clifton Park, NY; her sister-in-law, Dr. Susan Koch who was like a sister to our Mom; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Barbara was a nurse for her first profession. She started her career in Syracuse, NY working in the maternity ward. Later in life she just may have been one of the nurses who handled the care of Tom Cruise – a story she loved to tell. In 1963 she moved to the Chicago suburbs with her good friends Al and Pat Razzano and their children. A couple of years later she was introduced to a young man with a 1965 canary yellow Cadillac convertible. After being swept off her feet our mom and dad moved to Hammond, Indiana. Our mother began working at St Margaret’s Hospital in Hammond. During this time, she cared round the clock for a new baby with a serious medical condition at birth and did not leave his side until he was completely healthy. Our family remained in contact and became friends with his family. Our mother still kept in touch with Jay Ferro and was very proud of the man and father he had become. While pregnant with her daughter, Barbara stepped away from nursing to raise her children. As they grew older, she returned to work with the Lake Central School Corporation and Westlake with the majority of her years at Pfiefer Elementary School where she made lifelong friends, that she cherished. She continued to help, teach, and mold students to be the absolute best they could.

As her children grew and married, she received three grandchildren who were the world to her. She helped form who they are today and if she wasn’t present for one of their activities she was texting and calling for continuous updates. She so loved each of them and they have a bond with their nana like none other.

There are countless stories to share about our mother. From our Colorado ski trips with the Kirsch’s to our days on the lake with our boat, going for rides in the “country” with the allure of maybe getting Dairy Queen, to her taking us skiing at the Pines on a half school day, or just sitting around the dinner table listening to the stories of the day and having a laugh at our dad’s expense.

Our Mom was our biggest cheerleader. Barbara touched many people throughout her life, her memory will last the rest of our lives. We love you Ma and Nana.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 DIRECTLY at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN with a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial offered by Reverend Michael Yadron.  Interment will follow at Calumet Park Cemetery Merrillville, IN.  Visitation will be on Monday, June 5, 2023 at KISH FUNERAL HOME 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 3:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday, at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. Mass.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Barbara’s name to Hospice of the Calumet.

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