It is with saddened hearts that the family of Hazel Doreen Smith announces her peaceful passing at Hospice Wellington on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
She will be deeply missed by her brothers Ian (Kim) and Alex (Jane), niece Suki, nephews Nigel (Jess) and Mac. She was a great aunt, in many ways, to Elowen, Elizabeth and Damian. Hazel was predeceased by her parents. Throughout her life, Hazel was a positive, energetic person known for her wisdom and compassion for others. She was so many things for so many people: friend, confidante, proof-reader, traveler, gardener, bibliophile and animal lover.
Hazel was born on November 26, 1949, in St Albans, a cathedral town northwest of London, England, the second child of David Smith, a Scot, and Doreen (Cleeve), a Londoner. The Smith family emigrated to London, Ontario in 1957, where Hazel grew up and completed her formal education including her B.Sc. (Western) and B.Ed. (Althouse). She then set out on her own and moved to Guelph. Her first teaching position was at Torrance Public School where she is still remembered fondly as the “Queen of the Health Hussle”, leading the entire school for 15 minutes of vigorous exercise as the school intercom system blasted current pop songs like “Big, Bad LeRoy Brown” and “Spaceship Superstar’’. Hazel was employed by the Upper Grand District School Board for 32 years, as a primary grade teacher/librarian and resource teacher at various Guelph schools including John McCrae and F.H. Hamilton Public Schools. Hazel loved her children, and they loved her as evidenced by the fact that some of her “Torrance Girls” of 40 years ago visited her during her illness.
Following her retirement in 2007, Hazel had many interests. She was an avid curler at the Guelph Curling Club. She was on the Board of Directors, organizer of the St. Patrick’s Day bonspiel, an office volunteer, a great historian of events and past members and a drinker of Smirnoff Ice after every game.
Hazel was also a member of the Horticultural Society and loved visiting other peoples’ gardens. Her garden was impeccable and always a riot of colour. She regularly applied her skills and knowledge to beautify the gardens at the Donkey Sanctuary. Her favourite colour was purple, and it was displayed everywhere – whether in her garden or in her clothes closet.
As a member of St. George’s Church, she served as People’s Warden, a member Chancel Guild and on numerous other committees.
Hazel had a passion for animals, especially her dogs – Toby, Ben and Charlie. She was a friend to Miss Moneypenny, Oliver, Hendrix and Calvin and was never short of treats in her “Bone Appetit” jar.
Hazel loved to read. In pursuit of that endeavor, she was known for lending books from her library and her selections were always in demand. She also enjoyed bridge and met monthly with her bridge group.
Personal relationships were most important to Hazel. She was a loving, caring friend and her welcoming demeanor was reciprocated by so many people in her life. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was an organizer extraordinaire. She donated generously to local charities and causes. She made lifelong relationships as a result.
The family wishes to thank those many friends who transported her regularly to Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton for her treatments and who joined and celebrated with her when she “rang the bell” following the end of her cancer treatment. Many of those same friends cared for her day and night when she returned to her own home to convalesce and, in the latter stages of her illness, came to visit her at hospice. We also wish to thank the caring medical professionals who participated in Hazel’s care including doctors, nurses and personal support workers. A special thanks to her palliative care doctor, Dr. Cary Shafir and the wonderful staff at Hospice Wellington.
She was taken too soon. In memory of Hazel, she would want you to take a moment to gather your family and friends together to tell them that you love and care about them. This is the greatest gift of all. While we mourn Hazel’s loss, we take comfort in knowing she lived a full life filled with love, laughter, friends and accomplishments.
Friends will be received at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 99 Woolwich St., Guelph on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. Reception to follow in the church hall. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice Wellington, the Guelph Humane Society, St. George’s Anglican Church or a charity of your choice.
A tree will be planted in memory of Hazel D. Smith in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.