- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1925
- Date Of Death: August 23, 2020
- State: New Mexico
Vanita Karen Hatch (Pace), 95, resident of Animas, NM passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020 in Las Cruces. Vanita was born in Virden, NM delivered by a mid-wife on April 3, 1925 to Washington Hugh Pace and Elna Lucy (Mortensen) Pace. She was raised in Virden, NM and married Harvey Hugh Hatch on March 27, 1942. Vanita was an astute businesswoman, running and owning the Cotton City Grocery, selling insurance, and owning and managing motels in multiple states. She started her own real estate business at age 50 in Lordsburg which she pursued for 25 years. She lived in Cotton City, NM for most of her life, until moving to T or C, NM and then Las Cruces.
Vanita liked horseback riding growing up. She enjoyed cooking and puzzles. She loved her jewelry, shoes and dressing up. Vanita loved to dance and fish with her husband Harvey and attend her grandkids concerts and sporting events.
She is survived by her children; Karen (Randy) Norrick of Rodeo, NM, Pauline (Dave) Davis of Eagle Point, OR, Johnny ( Jody) Hatch of Animas, NM and Marilyn (James) Bagwell of Las Cruces, NM; brother Kenny Mack Pace of Palm Springs, California; 15 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. She is preceded in death by her husband Harvey, brothers Cliff, Clyde and Gary Pace.
Pallbearers will be granddaughters Kip Young, Lindsay Swift, Lia Hooper, Lexi Jackson, Jaci Lynn Callan, and Briana Bagwell. Honorary bearers are Andrea Robertson, Lisa Robinson, Laura Anglesey, Reina Seldon and Tara Litster.
