Maryann Hatfield was born in 1932 in Buffalo, New York. She grew up in Buffalo and met Gordon Hatfield at a local church they both attended. They got married and had four children — Sharon, Karon, Donna and Walter.

Although Maryann spent the first part of her life on the East Coast, she ultimately saw herself as happiest in California. So she moved to the Oakland/Bay Area in the early 1960s, where she raised her last daughter, Tari. She also obtained a bachelor’s degree at Hayward University and worked as a Senior Accountant for the City of San Pablo. In the late 1980s, Maryann chose to move to the Pacific Northwest: specifically the foggy, tree-lined, historical and coastal town of Klamath. All of her children eventually joined her in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Del Norte County or Humboldt County shortly thereafter.

She not only helped raise five grandchildren, but became a staple in her small community through both her career and volunteer work. If you knew Maryann, you might remember her ornery but hilarious attitude about life, her love for family and pets, her passion for continuing an education and career in local Native American culture through her work at the Elk Valley Rancheria. Or maybe she kicked your butt while playing bridge at the Del Norte Senior Center. However you may have crossed paths, you knew you would leave a conversation with Maryann in a lighter, brighter mood and potentially some cat fur on your sweater.

Maryann helped provide her friends and family with a sense of belonging and will undoubtedly be missed by everyone she leaves behind. Don’t worry though, she would remind you that not everyone has the opportunity to live to the ripe, old age of 90 and laugh about it. In Crescent City, on March 12, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, our Nana left this world to join her dear family members and friends who preceded her in death, including but not limited to: her beloved grandmother who helped raise her, both her parents, her children Sharon Freese, Karon Hatfield, Donna Lin, and Walter Hatfield, her grandchildren Audrey Godfrey, Jordan Freese and Spencer Godfrey. She is survived by her daughter Tari Hatfield, and two granddaughters, Kaitlin Canant and Hannah Freese, in addition to close friends and caretakers who helped ensure she lived out those last few years of life in happiness.

This world won’t be the same without you, Grandma. We love you and may you rest in peace. In lieu of donations or flowers, please volunteer or donate to your local animal shelter. Our grandmother was surrounded by animals her whole life, and it would be an honor to her memory.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Maryann Hatfield’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.