Virginia Hiatt

Virginia Ann Hiatt passed away on June 12th, 2021 at UAMS hospital. Ann was born August, 9th 1935 to Marguerite and Captain John McDonald USN. She married Commander Harry Hiatt USNR in January of 1953 and were married for 53 years until the passing of her beloved Harry.   She was one of three children being the oldest. She had a sister Barbara and has a brother, John.

Ann and Harry had seven children, Patrick “Harry, Jr.”, Barbara, Kathleen, David, James, Marguerite and Carolyn.

Ann lived a very interesting life. She was on the last civilian ship out of the Philippines during World War Two. The ship was caught in a Typhoon and almost sank. Her father, a naval aviator, was not with them as the fleet had to sail immediately upon the attack on Pearl Harbor. She spent the bulk of the war in Annapolis, Maryland with her mother and sister.

Her father, from the backwoods of Tennessee, was an avid hunter and fisherman and taught Ann how to hunt, shoot and fish.  She was an excellent shot with her much loved and used Browning 12 gauge.

She met a dashing young pilot who was under her Father’s command in San Francisco and they were married after Harry’s return from Korea. Together they traveled the US and the Pacific due to Harry’s many duty stations during his 26 years in the Navy. During that time Ann studied nursing and teaching. When she had time she was an excellent realtor as well. Upon Harry’s retirement in 1968 they set off on yet another adventure moving to Australia with six children. The seventh and youngest, Carolyn, was born in Perth. Ann was busy raising a large family and selling real estate. While Perth was a wonderful place to raise a large family Ann and Harry and the three youngest moved back to the US.

Ann and Harry spent many happy years in Maryland, North Carolina and upon Harry’s passing she moved to Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Barbara, her husband Harry, and their oldest daughter Barbara.

She is survived by her brother John, her children, Patrick his wife Judy, Kathy, David his wife Beth, Jim his wife Kim, Maggie and Carolyn. She has 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Rosary will be recited at 1:00 PM, followed by Memorial Mass at 1:30 PM, Saturday, July 31st at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Interment will be in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery.  Pallbearers include:  Eddie Crow, Mark Valenzuela, Gerald Crochet, Dan Smith, Nick Hiatt, and Christopher Totten.