This page has unhatpily been created to recognize those Hat Ladies who are no longer with us. We wish to honor them as they had honored The Hat Ladies and hat wearing traditions. We love them and miss them, and we are comforted by the fact they have simply replaced a hat with a halo.
We are also honoring those wonderful Hat Men in our lives who have so lovingly supported their lady's love of hats and who have been a part of our stylish brigade of volunteers
Colonel Hedy Pinkerton: During Hedy's 29-year Air Force career, she was a Women’s Air Force Squadron Commander, served in squadron, group, and vice wing command positions. She became a major and colonel and was named Woman of the Year for Community Involvement by the Colorado Springs Junior League and Supervisor of the Year at Peterson Air Force Base. Following her retirement from military active duty, she came to The Citadel to mentor and lead students. It was our good fortune that she also loved hats. Despite her busy schedule, she found time to volunteer and be the keynote speaker at our Anniversary Luncheon held at the Air Force base. She entertained us with the history of hats in the military. Hedy returned to her home base of Louisiana to care for her ailing Mother, who now survives her.
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Lena Burdin was one of the original Hat Ladies. She was also a Home Economics teacher, a loving wife for 60+ years, and the Mother of four girls. With her guidance and encouragement, they became citizens of the world, creating an extended family that epitomized cultural diversity. She spent her last years returning to her roots in upper state New York |
Margaret Krug lived primarily in Michigan. She taught for 34 years, belonged to the garden Club, Arts Council, Historical Society, and founded (and presided over) the Family Council of the Heartland Whitehall Nursing Home. Fortunately for us, she wintered in Charleston for a short while. It was long enough for us to meet this lovely, soft spoken (Hat) Lady and form lasting friendships. |
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Evelyn Vinci was a (Hat) Lady of the world. We were fortunate her last stop was Charleston. She and her family were staunch supporters despite her much too short time with us, even coming en masse for our 2012 Easter Promenade. In the words of her loving son, "...as she demonstrated throughout her life, she faced her battle with cancer with amazing grace, dignity, honor and courage, which will serve as a continual inspiration to us all |
Gerald Karst at Promenade, looking his dapper self. He brought his 90 year old Mama with this day, along with his Hat Lady Dottie. It was a day they all remembered. How he loved them both and loved seeing them in hats. A true Southern gentleman if there ever were one. |
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Anne Spear was one of the original Hat Ladies. We are honored to be among the list of prestigious organizations to which she belonged. She is deeply missed by us, as well as her adoring husband, John, who wrote: "She was a lovely lady and it is as if someone has ripped away part of my heart. I loved her dearly and always will." |
Jerry Coker was a gentleman and a gentle man. He loved coming with his wife, Carolyn, to our annual Easter Promenade and out monthly Hatpy Hours. And he loved his hats. He had quite a collection of his own, even wearing them when he wasn't with us. A true hat man. |
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Dolores Zink was a member of long standing. Deeply devoted to The Hat Ladies; she formed strong friendships with her hatsisters and kept the most extensive photo album of them all. She particularly looked forward to our monthly Luncheons and yearly Promenade |
Dr. Marvin Murdaugh was an ardent supporter of his wife being a Hat Lady. He often accompanied her to Hatpy Hours.and Promenades and joined her as garden docent for Preservation Society Tours. He is pictured on the red carpet of The Footlight Players, the night The Hat Ladies sponsored the Play, "Crowns" |
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Hazel France, soft spoken and elegant, won her place in the hearts of The Hat Ladies in the two years of her membership. Originally from New Jersey, she formed bonds that transcended friendship into family. Her deep support of The Hat Ladies Monetary Award was her way of acknowledging her own roots. |
Everett Alster, husband of Anne, was always the first to toss his hat in our ring when it came to being a Senior Guide for the Home and Garden Tours we supported in the Fall and Spring. He was also an outstanding volunteer for his church and other community causes. |
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LaQuines Brown came to her first Hat Ladies luncheon, looked all around the room, and announced, "I am home." This beautiful Lady fit in beautifully with her sweet charm and kind spirit. It was a joy to us all when she walked with us in The Race for The Cure |
Betty Lauren left behind a legion of friends. Everyone loved this elegant Lady who worked as a realtor with her sons. She was a "people-person" who loved doing lunch and bringing her grands to our Promenade. Her legions of friends and hatsisters turn out en masse to honor her. |
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Adele Borkowski was one of our youngest members; she tragically died giving birth to her third child. Despite her busy home life, she always found time to volunteer and come to luncheons and HaTpy Hours. She loved hats and being a Hat Lady so much a hat sat atop her coffin. |
Charline Murray was a lady who loved to travel and to dance. It was always something to toast when she was in town and could join us. She cut an elegant figure with her husband and her dog at Promenades. |
 Jan Hucks was a sister to Ruth Mazyck and a hatsister to us all. They shared their love of hats, and we shared Jan's wicked sense of humor and musical talents. None will forget the two "Butler" sisters doing the Charleston at High Tea, as they did in days of yore. |
Grace Fuller was one of our first Hat Ladies. Even years after her passing, her children spoke of how much she loved being a member. |
