I remember when we were in Bentsen Palms and every night we stopped to visit at your trailer while Hazel was trying to make dinner. One night she said, “I’m trying to make my man a pizza.” It was wonderful to meet new birding friends. Your friendship has been a fabulous gift.

Love,

Tom and Raye

Hazel and I met online almost two decades ago and became more than just friends. I considered her a sister, if not in blood, most certainly in mind and soul. Over the years, our almost daily emails shared common loves and interests, from books we read to birds to stories of travels to our beloved families. She was one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. She became such an important part of my life’s journey and I will miss her deeply. Fare thee well, dearest sister of the heart. You meant the world to me. Always and forever, Barb

I vividly remember laughing about jostling for the same spot on the exercise floor, depending on who got there first…just wish I knew just how creative you were hazel. Those rocks a work of art, very special legacies

Thank you all; my mom wouldn’t want flowers; instead, please consider a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation: https://www.bcrf.org

John. Am thinking about you and your kids and this great loss. We have shared history in Woodstock and Kingston. Love, Jane

I have this vague memory involving her, I’m fairly sure it’s my first. I was sitting in a high chair, and there was some sort of event regarding the royal family on the tv. My mom and Nana were discussing their preferred ways to eat bananas. Nana preferred them with cinnamon, and my mom with peanut butter. I’ll miss you.

Hazel brought beauty and order to her surroundings. When we moved to Belleville she organized my kitchen for me, something that would have taken me days to do.. I’ve always admired how she created an environment that nourishes the soul in her gardens and homes. I loved seeing her painted rocks and reading her literature choices on Instagram. I’m thankful for the adventures she shared with John and for the wonderful children she raised. I’ll look for your soul as you explore what lays beyond. Jo-Anne

I have always been amazed at Hazel’s many talents. She could lend herself to many artistic talents, do-it-yourself trades, and natural culinary and horticultural pass-times. I loved her photography the most.
Hazel and my brother, John, loved birding and the outdoors and travelled to many places together. She handled her illness with dignity and an uplifted spirit, with John by her side, caring for her medical, as well as comfort and emotional needs.
Rest in peace, Hazel.
Love,
Cathy

Kira – You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Even though your mom and I live 100’s of kilometres apart we shared a connection over our love of watching the moon, stars and nature. Sometimes we would share our pictures of the moon we had taken and your moms pictures are always better then mine. Now when I look at the moon and the stars I will be thinking about your mom.

Our hearts go out to Hazel’s best friend and love of her life, John, their much loved children Julie, Kira, and Mark, and their adored grandchildren, Russell, Vivian, and Shane. I feel that I know you all in spite of only meeting John and Hazel. May you find comfort in your many wonderful memories.
I (Donna)met Hazel and John in Bentsen State Park in Texas. They were so kind as to lug me around on the park’s weekly birding outings. I was just learning to bird and they were already card carrying, bumper sticker displaying, birders!
My husband, John M and I became good friends with Hazel and John and enjoyed many birding trips, a trip to Tuscany and another to Nicaragua, with them. We will always treasure the memories we made together.
Hazel and I formed a special bond with our love of nature, ‘real food’ , travel and sense of adventure, and humour. We were often mistaken for sisters as we walked around most of the time both wearing Tilley hats with binoculars and cameras hanging from us! We kept in touch with our keyboards from just before Covid to Dec. 6/24. It was a privilege to walk the roller coaster road of breast cancer with her but she never let it define her. Her bravery and grace rose above it.
I will dearly miss our conversations, our jokes, our comparing yard birds and lifers, our exchanging pictures and stories and most of all our shared laughter.
In my heart forever.
Donna & John M.

Hazel was the friend I never knew I needed. We shared our cancer experiences…fears, hopes, pain, and were able to also laugh about it. She kept me looking forward to the future and helped me with deeper questions that just naturally flowed between us. She was wise and thoughtful and so very brave. I will be forever thankful for the chance to be her friend and get to know her.

My condolences to her whole family.

Sue

Hazel’s adventurous spirit inspires me. Traveling the continent in search of nice weather and rare birds, living in a trailer she and John built, seeking peace and mindfulness and her own place in the world. Perhaps we can all find the same courage to take the roads less travelled.

We all knew a different Hazel. She had so many interesting sides to her. My Hazel had a beautiful laugh.My vision of her is knitting peacefully, in a tidy, beautifully but sparely decorated home. She had an exquisite eye for beauty, demonstrated in her decorating, gardens and photography. Hazel was a thorough researcher- knowing the evils of sugar before it became “common knowledge” for example. I followed your lead and saved some muscle pain – thank you! I envied her contentment with what she had, and treasured how she brought so much joy and depth to my brother’s life. When he was eating ice cream and chips while staying with me, I called him out reminding him he didn’t eat that stuff at home, and he replied “ I am my best self when I am with my wife”. It’s true. Carry her with you John.
Love Barb