Obituary for Hazel Louise Philips (Reynolds)
Peacefully from this life, in her 90th year, on February 20, 2023, at ARCH, after a fall at home related to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Cherished mother, buddy, housemate, and confidante of her only child, Valerie; beloved grandmother of Adam and Samantha, of whom she was very proud.
Born during the depression, Hazel experienced a lonely and uncertain childhood without a dad, as he fought in World War II combat and was reported MIA several times, and with a mom suddenly absent from home due to required work in the munitions factory. Later, as a widow at 52 and a victim of a merciless cognitive disease, Hazel did not always have an easy life; yet she lived it with strength of character, compassion, devotion to her family, and always her own unique brand of style and class. Although a stay-at-home mom to Valerie, once Valerie began university, Hazel returned to work and built a successful small business in downtown Montreal; upon retirement, her bilingualism secured her a position with the government, Human Resources Canada, here in Sault Ste. Marie, where she could be close to her family. She enjoyed tea and chats with her good friend, Lorne (Linda) Carter, and relished the time spent speaking French with Dan Dugas and the Reverend Deacon Robert Thibodeau. Even in her failing years, she always won at cards. She loved to care for her little dog, Jackson, who saw her through until the very end: a true pet love story.
We will miss her in immeasurable ways. Someone once said that "a mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." They were so right.
No one can or will ever take her place in our hearts. It is so hard to say goodbye. “Put the kettle on, Mom,” and wait for us when our time comes.
Thank you to Drs. Booth, and Odia, at SAH, and to the caring staff at ARCH, especially RN’s Cheryl and Jan, who patiently helped us to understand the process of dying with dignity and grace. All of these professionals made Mom’s final journey as painless as they possibly could.
Hazel will rest, with her little dog Jackson, alongside her parents, Eva and Reginald Reynolds, and her husband, Joseph (Johnny), in Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal.
Memorial donations in memory of Hazel may be made to ARCH (Payable online www.archhospice.ca/donate or by cheque).
Born during the depression, Hazel experienced a lonely and uncertain childhood without a dad, as he fought in World War II combat and was reported MIA several times, and with a mom suddenly absent from home due to required work in the munitions factory. Later, as a widow at 52 and a victim of a merciless cognitive disease, Hazel did not always have an easy life; yet she lived it with strength of character, compassion, devotion to her family, and always her own unique brand of style and class. Although a stay-at-home mom to Valerie, once Valerie began university, Hazel returned to work and built a successful small business in downtown Montreal; upon retirement, her bilingualism secured her a position with the government, Human Resources Canada, here in Sault Ste. Marie, where she could be close to her family. She enjoyed tea and chats with her good friend, Lorne (Linda) Carter, and relished the time spent speaking French with Dan Dugas and the Reverend Deacon Robert Thibodeau. Even in her failing years, she always won at cards. She loved to care for her little dog, Jackson, who saw her through until the very end: a true pet love story.
We will miss her in immeasurable ways. Someone once said that "a mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." They were so right.
No one can or will ever take her place in our hearts. It is so hard to say goodbye. “Put the kettle on, Mom,” and wait for us when our time comes.
Thank you to Drs. Booth, and Odia, at SAH, and to the caring staff at ARCH, especially RN’s Cheryl and Jan, who patiently helped us to understand the process of dying with dignity and grace. All of these professionals made Mom’s final journey as painless as they possibly could.
Hazel will rest, with her little dog Jackson, alongside her parents, Eva and Reginald Reynolds, and her husband, Joseph (Johnny), in Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal.
Memorial donations in memory of Hazel may be made to ARCH (Payable online www.archhospice.ca/donate or by cheque).