October 26, 1934 – September 21, 2024
It is with a mix of grief for our loss and liberation for her, that we announce the passing of Hazel who passed away at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her family at 3pm on Saturday, September 21st. It was difficult to say our final goodbye, but we are relieved that she was released from the challenges and suffering she faced over the last four years.
Hazel was one of 5 children born to Helen and Harvey Miller. Her early years were lived in Drayton Valley and Breton, AB. Prior to her teen years her mother moved the family to Summerland, BC and there raised the five children on her own. Hazel worked in a cannery as a teen. The first job she remembered was placing the one lone cherry on top of the fruit cocktail as the cans moved along the conveyor to be sealed. Although the family didn’t have luxuries, she felt she had a good childhood. She enjoyed swimming in the warm waters of Okanagan Lake, taking piano lessons, helping her friends’ families in their orchards, and appreciating the opportunity to earn an income.
Hazel graduated from high school in 1952 and moved to Calgary. She had several jobs before she found office work to be her niche. She took night classes and became a comptometer operator. A comptometer was a machine about the size of a typewriter that was the first practical key-driven calculator.
Hazel was a very social person who made friends easily and kept in touch with many of these people for after moving away. Up until the last few months she still phoned friends from her high school days!
In 1960 she married a man who was in the Canadian Airforce and they were transferred to France where their daughter, Leona, was born in 1961. This marriage was dissolved after a few years. Hazel kept in close contact with her ex-husband’s family and facilitated visits between them and her daughter. She was close friends with her former sister-in-law until she passed away.
In May 1971 she married Jack Jahour in Calgary. Shortly thereafter they moved to Terrace, BC where they lived until her daughter finished high school. While living in Terrace they explored every hiking trail and old logging road that took their fancy. She became very knowledgeable about berries and other wild edible plants and spent many happy hours foraging, just because she liked it. Picking berries also meant making jams and other interesting treats. While in Terrace they discovered the joys of boating. They had a succession of three power boats, each one getting larger and more comfortable.
After moving to Vancouver they bought a succession of sail boats, each being a few feet longer than the last. When they got tired of being wet and cold they bought a displacement hulled cabin cruiser that was comfortable and warm. It was large enough and powerful enough that with cautious navigation they could cross the open water of the Queen Charlotte Sound and Dixon Entrance. They cruised up the coast from Vancouver to Prince Rupert several times to visit Leona and her family in Prince Rupert. They also cruised all the way to Glacier Bay in Alaska a couple of times. Hazel was a little different than many of the other boating wives, of whom were just along for the ride. Hazel took an active role as well as taking safe boating, navigation, and rescue classes along with her husband. She felt that the other ladies ought to know how to operate their boats as well, so she organized an annual women’s cruise for their power squadron group. She was happy to leave the maintenance of the boat to her husband however. After retirement they would be on the boat continuously from late spring through early fall for about 15 years in succession. Hazel wasn’t much of a crafter, but she discovered that knitting helped her keep warm in those cool nights on the boat. She learned to read knitting patterns and made a series of sweaters and afghans for her grandchildren.
Hazel was a not a “natural” with children, playing was a little foreign to her. She found many other ways to show her love for her grandchildren by taking them to attractions, knitting for them, shopping with them, and coming to every concert and play they performed in. She also enriched their lives by paying for and taking them to swimming lessons, summer programs like kayak camp and other suitable activities.
In 2004 they agreed to move to Kamloops so Leona and her family would be closer and could help more. Hazel again made many friends through church and the seniors’ centre.
The last years in her own apartment were difficult for her, however, she trudged on determined to be independent. When she fell and broke her pelvis this was no longer feasible. After finishing rehab at Ponderosa Lodge she agreed to move with her daughter and son-in-law. Neither she nor her daughter ever regretted this decision!
Hazel approached her physical and health challenges stoically. Her last three years were very difficult for her. She was legally blind, profoundly hard of hearing, on full time oxygen, unable to walk, stand or even roll over in bed. She never complained about her circumstances, instead expressing appreciation for the family around her. She loved to see her grandchildren and always appreciated a hug. She loved to watch the great grandchildren play and looked forward to their visits with great anticipation.
Hazel was the always looking forward to the next exciting event. She was always looking to see what was around the next bend in the road, or past the next point when they were on the boat. She loved to go on tours with the seniors’ organizations and private excursions with her step-daughter and friends. “When are the great grandchildren (or other special person in her life) coming for a visit”, “what are we going to do, have or eat for the next special occasion”, even the mundane and simple things like “will the weather be good enough to eat on the deck tomorrow” were the kinds of questions she would ask frequently. She had hoped to reach her 90th birthday. She missed this goal by just five weeks.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband Jack, her brother Lee Miller, her sister, Elaine Fisher, her niece Patricia McCaffrey, and nephews, Kelly and Keith Rohl. She is survived by her daughter Leona (called Lea) Jahour, her son-in-law, Gary Antonelli, her step-daughter, Deb Jahour, Stepsons, Dennis and Mike, brother, Jack Miller and sister, Helen Rohl, grandchildren, Adelaide, Whitney and Stirling Antonelli, and step-grandchildren Cheryl, Charlene and Steven Jahour as well as the many nieces and nephews who she held close to her heart.
The family is very appreciative of the care Dr. Peter Gorman gave for many years, until his recent retirement. We are thankful for the many wonderful care aides and nurses with Interior Health who made her life more comfortable, and for Dr. Faren and the Palliative Care Team who provided us with medication, information, training and support that allowed us to care for mom at home.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1136 – 6th Avenue, Kamloops, on Monday, October 21st at 10:00 am.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
