Hazel Mae Watson (née Wells)

Hazel Mae Watson (née Wells) was born on November 23rd, 1918 at Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan.  She went to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 11th, 2018 at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  Hazel grew up on a farm 6 miles north of Gravelbourg with five sisters and two brothers.  She was the last remaining child of Robert and Nellie Wells.  She was predeceased by her husband, Bert; son, Wayne; youngest brother, Wilfred; as well as Pat, Eva, Grace, Frank, Phyllis and Alma.  Mom enjoyed being “the oldest person” in Hodgeville, SK, the hometown she adored.  She was a lifetime member of the Anglican Church of Canada.  She taught us all how to volunteer through her service with the A.C.W. and she shared this passion with her sister, Grace.  Together they coordinated fall suppers, bake sales, pressing church linens, and polishing the hardwood at Christ Church Anglican for 70 years.  Hazel had a green thumb like no other, and was able to feed half the town from her garden which she kept until the age of 97.  Her flower arrangements always donned the altar at church.  She also loved games of chance, and was famous for her quick wit and knee-slapping laugh.  Grandma also loved sports, especially curling and was Jennifer Jones’ biggest fan!  Another hobby was knitting: slippers, dishcloths, and afghans for every grandchild.  Most of all, she was an amazing cook and will be lovingly remembered for her turkey dinners, currant pasty, ice box cookies, homemade bread, buns and pickled beets, not to mention the bag lunches she packed for the horse races.  She was a practical and elegant woman who loved hats and had an outfit for every occasion.  She never hesitated to let you know if you needed to “pull up your socks” (except on one occasion, when visiting Bouchart Gardens, when a second pair of nylons appeared out of her pant leg!).  Hers was a happy home and we will be forever grateful to the generations of friends that have gathered at her table over the years.  When asked her secret to long life she replied “I eat whatever the hell I want… I drink lots of black tea, and I exercise every night!”  Hazel will be lovingly remembered by: Larry (Dorothy) Watson, Lisa (Mike), Micah Looy, and Wanda (Dave) and Sara Neufeld; Harry (Sharon) Watson, Cynthia Watson, Jody Watson, Vicki Watson (Greg Nolan), Dana Watson, Riley and Shae Lougheed; daughter-in-law, Dianne Watson, and Jason (Heather) Watson, Mikayla, Colten, Abigail, Braelyn, Kyran and the new release…(Hazel was patiently waiting for her 18th great-grandchild!; Jeff (Carmen) Watson, Connor, and Ethan, Kelly (Sarah) Watson, Jake, Ben and Brady, Kevin Watson (Melanie Gonda), Drew, Matthew, and Samantha; as well as her special friends Joyce, Madelaine, Maureen, JoAnn and Terry and partner; and all her other “Nap” and Bingo buddies.  And, of course, her favorite stylist Bev.  Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Crescent Park Retirement Villa and the Reverend Deacon Arleen Champion of St. Aidan Anglican Church, Moose Jaw.  The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 17th, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. in the Hodgeville Community Hall with Reverend Deacon Arleen Champion officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Hazel’s name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, Unit 26 – 1738 Quebec Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9 or The Anglican Church of Canada, 80 Hayden St, Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2.

“Lord, Grant that what we have said, and sung with our lips, and heard with our ears, may we inwardly retain and show forth in our lives – through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550