December 17, 1929 - October 24, 2018
Hazel Skaronski, nee Evans, passed away peacefully in Vernon, BC on October 24, 2018 at the age of 88 years. Hazel, as a child, was both loving and lovable. The youngest of seven children, Hazel lost her mother at the age of seven. She morphed into her mother keeping her older siblings in line by saying things like - "You shouldn't be eating all that bread!", "Why don't you put your scarf on?" or "What will dad say when he sees your shoes?" She cared deeply and made sure her older siblings knew she was in charge. Hazel was a very bonny kid and her siblings, four other girls all with their own agendas, and two boys, treasured her. She was very special.
Her compassion for others continued into her adulthood. She donated to a number of charities annually sharing her wealth with those less privileged or to causes like cancer research. Hazel was an avid gardener, seamstress, cook and bibliophile. She graduated from the F. L. Calder College of Domestic Science in Liverpool, UK in 1949. The F.L.C. College trained teachers of cookery and domestic science. Graduates became teachers and they were sent all over the country and overseas including Australia and North and South America. Shortly after graduating, Hazel moved to Lethbridge, Alberta. She worked in the Children's Department of the Lethbridge Public Library, then taught home economics at Gilbert Paterson, and later met and married Michael Skaronski. Hazel spent the next few years raising her two children and later returned to the workforce at the Bowman Arts Centre.
She was actively involved in the Lethbridge Allied Arts Council, Centre Stage, Lethbridge Musical Theatre, and the Playgoers of Lethbridge. Her roles included: costume mistress, production manager, property mistress, house manager, and actress. In 1986, Hazel was recognized with an honorary lifetime membership in Playgoers for over 25 years of active participation. She was best known for making costumes and for her eccentric characters, including the role of the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Her favorite role, for which she earned the 1970 Best Character Actress title in the Alberta Regional Three Act Drama Festival, was the retired prostitute, Old Ropeen in The Hostage. She was on stage for the entire production despite having only six lines. Hazel was the runner-up for the same award at the Dominion Drama Festival in Winnipeg.
In her retirement, Hazel's pastimes including reading, gardening, cooking and sewing. She loved mystery novels and read a book or two a day. Hazel was notorious for her quick wit, acerbic sense of humor and extensive vocabulary. She wasn't the best speller, yet she prevailed against opponents in Scrabble.
Hazel will be dearly missed by her son, John Mark Skaronski (Tracy) of Coldstream, BC, and daughter, Myra Ann Skaronski, of Red Deer, AB. She also leaves behind her sister, Alma (Todd) Wilkinson of Liverpool, UK and many nephews and nieces. Hazel is survived by her sister Alma and brother-in-law Todd Wilkins, son John Mark Skaronski (Tracy) and daughter Myra Ann Skaronski, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her father and mother George Evans and Emily Armor Evans, brothers George Alfred and Colin and sisters May (Joe) McAdam, Marion Evans, and Freda Evans.
In lieu of a funeral service, a Celebration of Hazel's Life was held at her son John's home on Sunday October 28 2018.
If friends and family desire, donations in memory of Hazel may be made directly to the North Okanagan Hospice Society, 3506 27th Avenue, Vernon BC V1T 1S4.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's on-line obituary @ www.MyAlternatives.ca .
Arrangements entrusted to Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services - Vernon 250-558-0866 & Armstrong 250-546-7237. 
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services