Obituary of Hazel Liddicoat

Hazel Matilda Liddicoat passed away peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2008 at the Cut Knife Special Care Home in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan at the age of 96. Hazel will be sadly missed by her daughter, Muriel, her three grandchildren Philip and his wife Cheryl, Ron and his wife Yen and Lana and her husband Dan, her four great grandchildren, Tyler, Aisia, Levi and Mackenzie. She will be sadly and greatly missed by her sisters, Edna, Glenna, Mary and Alice as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Hazel was predeceased by her husband Johnson, her mother and father, her two sisters Zella and Francis, her brother Andrew, and her son-in-law Stan. Eulogy written by friend Margaret Poppleton Mrs. Liddicoat was born on September 28, 1912 to Hazel and George Sample in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. She was one of eight children, having 1 brother and 6 sisters and attended school in North Battleford up to Grade 8. At fourteen years old, she went to work for George Lange of Gallivan as a hired girl. She was paid five dollars a month to do housework and look after five children who she said were "very bad". When I asked her, "Were they brats?", she replied, "No, they were little buggers!" (No offence if any of the Lange family are here today.) Mrs. Liddicoat always told me she had a very special relationship with her mother, whom she was named after. She said she didn't know her father very well because he had died at such a young age. Mrs. Liddicoat married Johnson Liddicoat on November 4, 1932. (Funny how I can call her husband by his first name, Johnson, but I can't call Mrs. Liddicoat by hers, Hazel). They had one daughter named Muriel who was born on February 28, 1940. The Liddicoat family lived in Baldwinton for 17 years. Then in 1949, they moved to the Alada district and farmed. They milked cows, fed chickens, sold eggs, and sowed grain-a little bit of everything. Mrs. Liddicoat worked side by side with her husband. She was an incredibly hard worker who always said, "A little hard work never hurt anyone…it's just the thought of it." Johnson and Mrs. Liddicoat moved to Neilburg in the fall of 1976 due to Johnson's poor health. He passed away 10 years later. Mrs. Liddicoat continued to live in the same home until she was 91 years old. Until that time, she still planted her own flowers, dug out dandelions, cut her own lawn, and picked apples. She was very independent, an immaculate housekeeper and she baked the best date filled oatmeal cookies you've ever tasted. On Feb. 6, 2004, Mrs. Liddicoat became ill so I took her to the Maidstone Hospital. She remained there for 6 weeks and then was moved to the Cut Knife Special Care Home where she resided until her passing. Here are a few little notes that I would like to share about Mrs. Liddicoat. At 92 years old, I took her to the optometrist for an appointment. After leaving, I said we should go to the dentist. She said, "NO WAY" because she had never had a toothache. I guess this explains how she managed to have her own teeth throughout her life and why it would bother her when doctors would ask her to remove her teeth, assuming they were false! While celebrating Mrs. Liddicoat's 95th birthday, I danced with her and commented on what a good dancer she was. She told me that she and Johnson had won many dancing contests in Carruthers. She said they loved to dance. I think Mrs. Liddicoat was old school. She found it hard to express her emotions. She was very proud of her daughter Muriel, her son-in-law Stan, and her 3 grandchildren. She told me on several occasions that "Stan and Muriel have 3 wonderful children and they are very hard workers'. I'm not sure if Mrs. Liddicoat expressed her feelings often but I know she loved her family deeply. I remember the day I brought in a little spoon that I had found in her house. She smiled and said, "Oh, that's Muriel's baby spoon!" and her face just lit up. I have the spoon today to give to you, Muriel. I would like to say thank you to the Cut Knife Special Care staff for the wonderful care given to Mrs. Liddicoat. Their dedication and support is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed the past 10 years of our close friendship and I will miss her dearly. Thank You, Margaret Poppleton Donations may be made to the Cut Knife Special Care Home or to a charity of the donors choice.