This website was created for Hazel's 98th birthday, September 29, 1908. Hazel died on July 5, 2007. The following was read by her granddaughter, Kathy Sullivan, at her memorial service.

When I think of grandma Hazel, I think of her as a true matriarch. This feels especially evident in her absence as I look around.  Grandma was the one who steered and guided us; pulled us together and let us know we were part of the Sullivan clan. She nurtured each of us with firm direction and loving acceptance. She gave us a moral compass to go by, and still helped us not to take ourselves too seriously. In her steady and consistent way, she helped each of us become who we are. 

Reflecting on Grandma Hazel makes me smile and creates a warm feeling. She was soft, yet strong, joyful- sometimes silly, and hardworking. She was independent yet always family oriented, and she was full of ideas and stories.

Grandma was the creator and keeper of memories in our family.  Through her stories over the years we got to know ourselves better and become more connected to one another. I'm sure most of us here could now recite one of her stories by heart (since we probably heard it more than once) and most likely any story we relayed would have some teaching in it as well as laughter. As I become older, I know now what a gift her storytelling was.

Grandma Hazel was a very important part of this life, and at the same time she was all spirit -  she might say full of spunk. Those of us that have been loved by her have been truly blessed. In many ways it isnot hard to let her go -  she was ready and prepared us all. Yet, b/c grandma was a constant light the shone so brightly and for so long, it is hard to see the light go.  She will be missed.   I am glad she gave us so much of herself to carry on in spirit.

A poem I gave to her many years ago still captures her essence today:

     Today a brown bird sang in the apple tree
      and a butterfly flitted across the field
      and all the leaves were calling to me
      And the wind went sighing over the land,
      tossing the grasses to and fro,
      And a rainbow held out its shining hand.
     So, what could I do, but laugh and go~
                                       Richard LeGallienne