Patsy Hackward

Patsy Hackward, a resident of East Peoria, IL before moving to Indianapolis 23 years ago, passed away peacefully at home on December 4, 2016.

Patsy was born March 30, 1942, near Pierce City, MO, the daughter of Frank and Beulah (Rimmer) Hamilton.

She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, George Hackward; children, Edwin Morrow, Laurie Trevino, Julie (Dr. Richard) Mason; three stepsons, George (Diane) Hackward Jr., Michael Hackward, and Rodney (Wendy) Hackward. Also surviving are brothers, Clifford (Joyce) Hamilton, Kenneth Hamilton, Harold Hamilton; a sister, Sharon (Roger) Morrow; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Joni Larson.

Her parents, one sister, Charlotte McIver, and one brother, Donald Hamilton, preceded her in death.

Patsy worked for several years at Murison Label Co. in Peoria, IL until she was hired by the U.S. Postal Service in 1968. During Patsy’s 30-year tenure with the U.S. Postal Service, she received many promotions. In 1975, she was the first female to achieve a supervisor position at the Peoria Post Office. Other promotions included: Labor Relations Representative from July 1978 to September 1984 and Director Human Resources MSC Peoria from October 1984 to December 1991. She served as Interim Postmaster at several post offices in Illinois and was detailed to higher level positions on numerous occasions. She was also asked to complete special assignments, such as being the Postal Service Advocate in arbitration cases. Her final promotion to Manager Human Resources of Greater Indiana District was in 1993, and she continued in this position until retiring in 1998.

Patsy was a graduate of Morton High School in Illinois. She also attended Illinois State University and Illinois Central College.

Genealogy, gardening, reading, and especially quilting were some of the activities she enjoyed. She made quilts for many members of her family to remember her by.

Services will be 12 noon Friday, December 9, 2016, at Flanner and Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite). Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations in Patsy’s honor to F.A.C.E (a low cost spay-neuter clinic for cats and dogs) or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.