Roianne M. Hackett

Surrounded by the love of family and friends, both near and far, Roianne M. Hackett, nee Miller, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2017. Born in Fairfield, Iowa, on January 18, 1943, Roianne was the daughter of Roy Forrest and Hazel Conrad Miller. A long-time resident of Fairfield, she had many childhood classmates that developed into long-lasting and cherished friends. She attended Parsons College where she met her husband of 53 years, Thomas B. Hackett. There they began a life -- an adventure -- that ultimately led her from the cornfields of southeastern Iowa to the snowy climes of Minnesota to the blue ridge mountains of West Virginia…and many places in-between. Always intrigued by new experiences and opportunities, Roianne devoted herself to finding new adventures and making others feel special and important. She was the family matriarch – intent on keeping the immediate family on the straight and narrow and making sure everyone was informed about family events. She was generous with her time and spirit, and she celebrated the milestones and special achievements of those around her. She saw opportunities instead of challenges, and encouraged others to do the same. In her more than 40 years of teaching, she inspired creativity and curiosity in students and encouraged friends, young and old, to find their unique gifts and pursue their passions. A pioneer in education, she believed in experiential education hands-on learning. In the 1990s, when the decline in monarch butterfly populations was just emerging, Roianne and her students banded monarch butterflies to better understand their migratory patterns and life cycles. Following her retirement from teaching, Roianne developed and taught student-driven customized educational units for the West Virginia Farm Bureau, driving a mobile “agriculture education science lab” to schools across the state. Roianne had an adventurous spirit and happily accompanied friends to find new activities, from underwater “sub” experiences, to Florida getaways, to bike rides across Iowa, to participating in a 1954 and 2014 covered wagon caravan to celebrate the opening of the Iowa State Fair. Roianne was loyal and committed to her friends, her family, and the broader community. Even this month, in final days of life, she diligently worked to complete a series of learning backpacks for children visiting the Upshur County Library. Roianne was not only fun-loving and a lover of life; she was a great advocate for all creatures great and small. She was a compassionate pet owner and rescued many pets in need of better care and a loving home. Roianne is survived by her husband Tom; children Betsy (Dave), Kate (Kent), and Dan (Amy), and beloved grandchildren Emerson, Madeline, Jesse, Eleanor, and Chase. Friends, family, and relatives are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 65 South Kanawha St., Buckhannon, WV 26201. Immediately following this celebration will be a private memorial service for family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Lewis-Upshur Animal Shelter, 10 Mud Lick Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201 or High Rocks Academy for Girls, 195 Thompson Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946.

Roianne M. Hackett

January 18, 1943 - November 7, 2017