Allene "Squeaky" Pomeroy Hatch

Allene “Squeaky” Pomeroy Hatch, 98, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, in Kingsport, TN. Squeaky was born on January 31, 1926, to the late Theodore Emmett and Jean Gardner Gaty in Morristown, NJ; she was the youngest of three children. She spent her early years growing up in Clermont, NY, traveled the world, and eventually settled in the Hudson Valley, a place she always considered home. 

Squeaky graduated from Hudson High School. She was a creative minded young adult, focusing her studies on fine and performing arts. Squeaky could be described to others as eccentric, imaginative and free-spirited. Art inspired her in every aspect of her life, including fashion. As a teen, she took life drawing classes at Bard College and was accepted into classes at the Museum of Modern Art in NY. In addition, she also studied at the Fashion Academy of NY. 

Squeaky was an accomplished artist, author, and illustrator. Several of her books were published and she illustrated books for other authors including her husband, Alden Hatch. She was a part of an acting group affectionately known as the “Snarks” and performed in several plays as well as being cast a part in a major production. With the intent of sharpening her writing skills, she also took writing classes with author Frank McCourt.

In 1950, she married world-renowned biographer, Alden R. Hatch. Squeaky began working alongside her husband researching, journaling and voice recording his interviews. They traveled around the world together and made lasting memories. Mr. Hatch was the author of over forty books, much of his work detailed the lives of prominent figures such as Pope Pius XII, Pope John XXIII, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, Woodrow Wilson, Buckminster Fuller, Franklin Roosevelt, and many more. 

Both Alden and Squeaky’s papers can be found in the Department of Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida's George A. Smathers Libraries.

The couple resided in the Hatch estate located in Cedarhurst, NY (Long Island). Later they resided in the Hudson Valley and would snowbird to their winter home in Sarasota, FL. 

Squeaky enjoyed an extravagant yet elegant lifestyle. She enjoyed attending “white glove” events where there was never a shortage of champagne flutes filled to the brim. She may have been carefree and easygoing but was also business-minded in many respects. Participating in “Yankee trades”, Squeaky would trade her artwork and creative ability in exchange for goods or services. This method paid off when she once traveled through the Greek Isles aboard the “Sea Cloud” schooner in exchange for her PR work. 

Squeaky was known for taking risks that resulted in once in a lifetime experiences. To name a few, she embarked on an archeological dig in Israel and studied sculpting in Mexico, perfecting her craft by learning from authentic stone sculptors. 

It is rare to live a life as full as Squeaky did; her genuine and fun-loving spirit will be deeply missed by her friends, family and loved ones. 

Those who preceded her in death include her husband, Alden R. Hatch; parents, Theodore Emmett and Jean Gardener Gaty; siblings, Theodore Emmett Gaty III. and Jean Patricia Gaty de Pendleton.

Survivors include her stepson, Denison “Denny” Hatch and wife, Peggy; nephew, Theodore “Ted” Emmett Gaty IV and wife, Cindy; nieces, Juanita Mitchell and husband, Eugene, Joann Gaty Caudill and husband, Craig, Cornelia “Lia” Gaty and Jean Gaty Creech; many great nephews and nieces, great-great-nephews and nieces and great-great-great-nephews and nieces. In addition, she is survived by special friends, Ripley Hathaway, John Philip, and Dennie Davis, and caregivers, Nancy Johnson, Jean Johnson, and Jeanette Yeager.

A memorial service to be held in the Hudson Valley will be announced for the summer of 2025.

Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an online condolence for the family.