Helen Hiatt, who worked in the LaFortune Student Center’s Huddle at the University of Notre Dame for 46 years, died Saturday (July 26) at her home in Elkhart. She was 92 years old.
Hiatt, affectionately known to students as “the mother of the Huddle,” officially retired in 1986, but continued to work at the Huddle part time until 2013, stocking the dining area with condiments, utensils and napkins from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
In a 2011 interview, Hiatt recalled that in 1967, she came to the Huddle for a job interview. “I thought I would be there for an hour or so, but the manager asked me if I could start that day. I’ve been here ever since.”
Her favorite part of the job, she always said, was the people.
Scherry Roberts, operations manager of the Huddle, remembers Hiatt as “a wonderful, feisty lady, and a great worker. She was loved by all of us and will be greatly missed.”
Arrangements are pending at Hahn Funeral Home in Mishawaka.
-Carol Bradley