Long-time Richland County foster parents honored with 'Love Never Fails' award

Feb. 2, 2012

Long-time Richland County foster parent Genevieve Hatheway has cared for local children in need for more than three decades.

On Tuesday, she and her late husband, Elnathan Stewart “Pat” Hatheway, were honored by Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Ron Spon with a “Love Never Fails” community recognition award.

The ceremony was at the 411 S. Diamond St. juvenile justice center with Richland County Children Services Executive Director Randy Parker in attendance along with several agency administrators and staff members.

Mrs. Hatheway and her husband, who were married for 64 years, became foster parents on Dec. 31, 1978, and have the longest service record of any foster parents in the county, according to Richland County Children Services.

At the time of Mr. Hatheway's death on Dec. 28, 2010, they had cared for 45 foster children and also welcomed numerous respite and direct parental placements. They have accepted children ages 1 to 18 and excelled at fostering teenagers, according to Lori Feeney, ProtectOHIO program supervisor for the child protective services agency.

Since Mr. Hatheway's death, Mrs. Hatheway, 83, has continued serving as a foster parent with four additional foster children.

"The past year has been rough losing Pat, but he would have wanted me to move on, and that's what I'm doing,” Mrs. Hatheway said. She thanked her family, friends, neighbors, court officials, and Children Services staff for their support over the years.

Parker said the agency is lucky to have Mrs. Hatheway as a foster parent and that the agency is appreciative of their willingness to serve.

"I recently met with Genevieve to see if she wants to keep her record going. She is able and wants to continue fostering children to make sure no one can catch her.

"We talked about how they started their marriage in a little trailer and grew together ultimately building their dream home -- they are proud of that,” Parker said.

The “Love Never Fails” award was created by Judge Spon in 2000 in memory of Bernice Murphy. The judge awards it to recognize individuals in Richland County who exemplify Mrs. Murphy’s character and never-give-up attitude toward struggling children. Mrs. Murphy was the first recipient of the award.

Mrs. Hatheway said foster children always had an open invitation to return to visit the Hatheway home after their time there had ended.

“We just had one rule … they needed to keep their nose clean,” she said.

(Click here to see a photo gallery from the ceremony.)

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