Faye Hatfield

Faye Hatfield passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2018. She was a Chicago native who moved to Des Moines in 2017 to be closer to her family. She lived in an assisted living apartment at 3801 Grand Avenue.

Faye was the fourth of five sisters born to John and Anna Ceccarelli in Chicago. She was by far the most adventurous of the sisters and shortly after graduating from high school, she joined the Navy (WAVES) in 1944 against her father's warning that "she would be sorry". As it turned out, Faye met her future husband, Royce Hatfield while they were stationed in the St. Louis area. The couple married on April 16, 1946 - just before Faye was honorably discharged from the Navy. As newlyweds, they moved to Philadelphia where their first son, Ronald was born. From there, Roy was sent to Trinidad, British West Indies and their second son, Brian was born in 1950. Then, it was back to the USA for duty in Washington, D.C. where Faye also took a job as the administrative assistant to the head of the military chaplains at the Pentagon. Next stop was a tour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for three years. Both Faye and Roy enjoyed their time in Rio and made many life-long friends there before returning to Chicago - the final assignment in Roy's 20 year Navy career.

While living in Chicago both Roy and Faye became actively involved in the Fleet Reserve Association and Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association - organizations that supported active duty and retired Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel. They both worked through offices in their respective organizations at the local, regional and national levels and served one year terms as National President. After Roy's death, Faye retired from her job as the administrative assistant to the owner of a machine manufacturing business and got involved as a tour guide for senior bus trips to various locations in the Midwest. She enjoyed this activity and made many friends in the senior community - some who would only go on the trips if Faye was going to be their tour guide!

Faye was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna; her four sisters, Bunny, Ella, Florence and Lorraine; her husband, Roy; son, Brian; and grandson, Benjamin. She is survived by her son, Ron (Karen) of West Des Moines; grandson, David (Hayley); great-grandchildren, Caleb, Emma and Ryan of Mesa, AZ; granddaughter, Liz (Chris Maples) of Denver, CO; daughter-in law, Candi; and grandchildren, Brian, Danny and Emily of West Grove, PA; and granddaughter, Sarah; and great-grandson, Benjamin of Denver, CO.

Full military services for Faye will be held at the chapel in Arlington National Cemetery where she will be buried with her husband, Roy near the Navy memorial - The Mast of the Maine. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to St. Judes Hospital - a charity Faye has supported for a number of years.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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