Delcena (“Delcie”) Robson Hatch

Delcena (“Delcie”) Robson Hatch passed away peacefully with her family at her side on the afternoon of December 24, 2023.  Returning home to be with her eternal companion David, who preceded her in death on February 12, 2018, was the best Christmas present our dad could receive.  Delcena was born January 20, 1933 in Mesa, AZ to Clara Phelps Robson and Charles Innes Robson III.  On the day she was born, remarkably it snowed in Mesa!

Delcena was the youngest, and last surviving child, of 6 children:  Innes Robson, Clarene Barney, Zula Walton, Betty Naegle, Frankie Decker, and our mother, Delcena.  Between her older brother and 4 older sisters, there was plenty of help and spoiling to go around.

Throughout her life, Delcena loved music.   When she was in high school, she wanted to be in band and learned how to play the clarinet.  She went on to play in the Mesa High and ASU Marching bands.  Her clarinet career ended when her sweet nephew, Jim, got a hold of it and took it a part to find out where that “squeaking” came from.   Typical of her love for her family, Delcena never got upset at him.  In fact, that was indicative of the love that she had for all her nieces and nephews.  She wrote, “Those children could do anything, and I never would have cared.  I loved each of them very much…”.  When Delcena was in 8^th grade she took, and excelled in, accordion lessons.  She was invited to be in a quartet with Hank Milano that went on tour performing in various city and church functions.  Hank even took the quartet on tour around the state to play in musical programs.  Later on she shared her love of music with her family and taught all her daughters to play the piano.

Delcena graduated in 1951 from Mesa High School.  She attended 2 years at Arizona State University while teaching accordion lessons at Milano’s.  During her 2^nd year at ASU, she met “a really cute guy” at a fireside named David.  That chance encounter quickly developed into a courtship, true love, and an engagement.

While engaged, David was drafted into the United States Army, so they had to move up their wedding plans.  David and Delcena were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on March 6, 1953.  On March 12, 1953, David reported to basic training and then left for Fort Ord, CA.  Delcena was able to join David after the first month of basic training.  After that he received his orders for Germany.  It was because of her love for David that she was able to temporarily leave her country and home of Mesa.  Germany held many wonderful memories and growing experiences for our parents.  After the army, they moved to Tucson where David graduated from the University of Arizona in 1959 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree.  He was hired by APS and was transferred to various cities in his long and rewarding career.  Delcena got to return to Mesa for a short time after Tucson, but found that APS needed them in Yuma AZ, Farmington NM, and then Phoenix.  Each of their children was born in the different cities where David was assigned.  Treasured memories were made in each of those homes that involved friends and family.  After David’s 30 years with and retirement from APS, Delcena prevailed upon David to move back to the East Valley.  She finally got to come home to Mesa where she and David happily lived the rest of their days together around so many cherished family members.

Delcena also found joy in serving in different callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In almost every ward Dad and Mom lived in, she served in the Primary organization as chorister or pianist.  She also enjoyed the sisterhood she found in serving in her ward Relief Society.

Delcena had a testimony of our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ throughout her whole life.  She often spoke of the power of prayer and always had family prayer, no matter who was at home. She was always drawn to the commandment “Love one another” that Christ gave to his apostles.  In fact, she chose that to be her life’s theme and instilled it as one of her family’s core fundamentals.  Delcena found the most joy in her life with her family and close friends.  Her roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, “Granny” and friend were very sacred to her.   Consequently, the love and grace that she emanated to all through those roles will be remembered, felt, and cherished for years to come.   It will be her legacy to all of us.

Delcena is survived by her 5 children:  David C. Hatch (Fayella), Sherie Kent (Lloyd), Dean R.  Hatch, Julie Hatch, and Kristen Durrant (Dan).  She and David also have 12 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Delcena will be on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 1345 E University Dr., Mesa, AZ  85203.  There will be a visitation at 9:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Burial services will be held at the City of Mesa cemetery following the funeral service (1212 N Center St., Mesa AZ  85201).

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.