Linda Mae Hatfield

Linda Hatfield, 81, of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away in her home on September 15, 2026.

Originally from Lodi, Ohio, she moved to Colorado with her husband Jerry and daughter Kelly in 1975 and made Colorado her home for the next five decades. She embraced the beauty and adventure of the West, developing a lifelong love of touring the Rocky Mountains and traveling across the country on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. She especially cherished visits with family in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Nebraska and treasured the relationships that connected her to generations of loved ones.

A hardworking and entrepreneurial woman, she and her first husband owned and operated Shield Vending for nearly twenty years, building a successful business through dedication, perseverance, and teamwork. She took great pride in her work and in the life they built together. She also ran a day care business out of the home for many years.

In her quieter moments, she enjoyed crocheting and creating handmade gifts and keepsakes for family and friends. She was also an avid puzzle enthusiast, especially when it came to jigsaw puzzles, finding both joy and relaxation in piecing them together. A breast cancer survivor, she faced life’s challenges with courage and determination. She was stoic in the face of adversity, easygoing in spirit, and remarkably resourceful. Her outgoing personality drew people to her, and she maintained many close friendships for decades. She especially cherished friends from her grade school years and remained in touch with them throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry L. Beach, with whom she shared 31 years of marriage; her second husband, Jerry L. Hatfield, with whom she shared 9 years of marriage; her son, Paul Beach; her parents, Leslie and Lynette (Heazlit) Gray; and her sister, Lenore (Thomas) Packard.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Beach of Lakewood, Colorado; her grandson, Cody Angell (Jessica), of Castle Rock, Colorado; grandsons Mathis and Magnus; her sister, Lynne (Sidney) Carter of Rittman, Ohio; her brother, Lewis Gray of Lodi, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She will be remembered for her strength, resilience, independence, stoic nature, adventurous spirit, and unwavering love for her family. A survivor in every sense of the word, her resourcefulness, loyalty, and ability to form lasting friendships touched many lives and will leave a lasting legacy in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held in Ohio in the spring of 2027.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to Susan G. Komen or the Alzheimer's Association .

"Those we love don't go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and forever dear."