Mar 7, 1924 - Apr 21, 2018
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mom Hazel on April 21, 2018 in her 94th year.
Hazel was born on March 7, 1924 in Virden Manitoba. She was from a family of 10 children and at the age of 12 her mother passed away. Being the oldest girl she had to leave school to help raise her younger siblings. At 17 she became a model for Burkes jewelry, Woolworths, and Pepsodent toothpaste.
Mom married in Ontario and after a few years they moved to Vancouver. She was the mother of three boys under the age of five when she divorced and had to work two jobs to make ends meet. Hazel then met and married Ralph who had two young boys of his own.
They spent the next 20 years or so ranching at Hedley, Aspen Grove and Deadman Creek near Savona. Having lost their ranch to a fire they moved to Falkland in 1968 where they bought a cafe/gas station. After a few years and on her own again she took a Real Estate course and moved to Vernon where she worked for Block Brothers for the next several years. She moved to Coquitlam for awhile but moved back to Vernon when she retired in 1993.
Mom loved life, meeting new people, and sharing her experiences with family and friends. She was a hard working mother, who sacrificed a lot for her children. She enjoyed family time and truly loved and adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along the way her son's gave her four wonderful grandchildren and seven precious great-grandchildren.
Hazel always had a passion for politics and throughout the boys lives their home was always filled with lively discussion on what was happening in politics of the day. She was so proud to have all three of her boys in different areas of government. After she retired she devoted her time as a volunteer for the Reform Party of Canada and worked the next 13 years behind the scenes helping on her son's career.
She had a drive to organize everything and was good at it. She would go out of her way to help anyone in need, especially shut-ins or seniors in the hospital. Even when times were tough she would always keep her faith. Always cheerful and positive. She lived a very full life, she loved to golf, travel and walked two miles a day for years. She also loved the Toronto Blue Jays and Vancouver Canucks.
Hazel is survived by her 3 sons: John (Laura), Darrel (Cicely), Dean (Terry). Stepson's Doug (Wendy), Jim; her grandchildren Stephanie, Reagan, Jason, Dallas and Christopher (step grandchild). 7 great grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren. She will also be missed by many other extended family members and friends.
In accordance with her wishes there will be no service. As an expression of sympathy those friends wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Hazel may do so to the charity of their choice.
A very heartfelt thank you to Dr. Deetlefs and Polson North Residential for the special care they gave mom.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vernon Funeral Home, Phone: 250 542 0155.
Condolences may be offered at www.vernonfuneralhome.com.
Vernon Funeral Home
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