Obituary of Hazel James

OBITUARY JAMES: Hazel Bessie James (nee Stamm) passed away peacefully in her sleep at Pine Island Lodge, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the age of 90 years. Hazel is survived by two sons, Mark of Lashburn, Sask and Keith and his wife Sue of Leduc, Alta and one daughter Joyce and her husband Trevor Sharp of Melbourne, Australia; three grandchildren, Jeremy and Kassia James and Stefani Sharp; five sister-in-laws, Luella Forrest, Laura James, Russell James, Gertie James and Esther Spence; one first cousin, Beatrice Squair and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Hazel was predeceased by her loving husband, Oriavel, her brother, Harley Stamm and eight brother-in-laws. Hazel was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta on September 22, 1920 to Bessie and Fred Stamm. Hazel moved with her parents and younger brother Harley, to the Bear Island District in 1928. Her early schooling was firstly at home, Bear Island School for grades 3-8, then correspondence courses for Grades 9-11. Then, it was on to Vermilion school of Agriculture from 1938 - 1939. Hazel married Oriavel James on July 26, 1947 and moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where Oriavel had a business insulating houses. The accidental death of Hazel's father in 1948 prompted them to return to the Bear Island district to help care for her mother. Oriavel & Hazel started farming and raising cattle along with Hazel's brother Harley Stamm. While on the farm Hazel & Oriavel raised three children, Mark, Joyce and Keith. Hazel & Oriavel retired to Lashburn in 1979 where they were soon involved in the town community - Hazel became active with the "Golden Tones", with the Health Care Auxiliary, with church, with the Senior Citizens and Seniors bowling. Hazel & Oriavel enjoyed travelling in their retirement, making two trips to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, a farm tour to South America, a European bus tour and a "road trip" across the United States from New Jersey, down to Florida and across to California and back up to Canada visiting with both James and Stamm relatives along the way. It was always interesting talking to them about their trips when they got back. You were never quite sure if they were on the same trip - Hazel would have one version about what they saw and Oriavel would have something completely different. Hazel was a gentle and caring person. She had a hospitable and social nature. She had a genuine interest in people and in family connections, not only her own but those of the entire community. Hazel was the correspondent of the Bear Island news for over 20 years in the local Maidstone Mirror and Lloydminster papers. She was proud of her children and the fine adults they became. It always gave her great pleasure to recount news of her grandchildren. Friends and relatives will all have various memories of Hazel but I'm sure the one memory everyone will remember is Hazel's love of music. She gave so many hours of musical pleasure to her community playing in dance bands, with the Golden Tones, at nursing homes and seniors groups, and at church. Hazel's love of music never faded and even after moving into Pine Island Lodge, if anyone was playing, Hazel would be settled next to the piano, tucked in all cozy under her quilt, seemingly sound asleep with her eyes closed, but the instant any music started, her foot would start tapping in time to the beat. The funeral service for Hazel was held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Lashburn St. James United Church with Reverend Lorna Brick officiating. A Celebration of Hazel's Life was given by Keith James, Joyce Sharp and Jean McPherson. Honorary Pallbearers were the Lashburn Senior Citizens Association. Urn bearer was Mark James. Interment followed in the Lashburn Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Following the service a lovely lunch was served by the ladies of the Lashburn United Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St James United Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. CARD OF THANKS Our heartfelt thanks to friends, neighbours and family for their expressions of sympathy and help and for the food, baking and flowers delivered to the house. Special thanks are extended to the Pine Island Lodge staff for their compassion and caring while Mom was a resident. Thank you to Reverend Lorna Brick for her moving service, to Lorna Chappell for playing the piano at the service, to the combined choir for their leadership of the hymns and a special thank you to Jean McPherson for the tribute you gave. Thank you to the ladies of the United Church for the lovely lunch after the service. Thank you for the donations to the St James United Church as well as to charities of the donor's choice. Finally, our heartfelt thanks to Dean Wenzel, Glenn and Dave McCaw for their kindness and compassion. Mark James Joyce, Trevor and Stefani Sharp Keith, Sue, Jeremy and Kassia James Donations in memory of Hazel may be made to the St. James United Church in Lashburn, or to the charity of the donor's choice.