Obituary of Hazel Ann Grossart

GROSSART: Hazel Ann Grossart passed away peacefully at her residence, Hillcrest Place, on Thursday April 12, 2018 at the age of 84 years. Hazel was born February 23, 1934 in Stonewall, Manitoba, with her grandmother as midwife. Hazel will be lovingly remembered by her husband Doug, children Ian (Linda), Brandon Hills, Kathi Grossart (Dean Favoni), Winnipeg, grandchildren Andrew (special friend Gabrielle Hinch), Avery (special friend Blair Scott) and Zach Grossart, Trent and Reed Favoni-Grossart. Sisters Jean (Arnold) Fortune, Cardale, Wilma Garlick, Roland, brother-in-law Ellis Williamson, Calgary, sister-in-law Margery Smirl, Killarney and special family friend Jeannine Anderson-Komant as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Minnie Ingram, son Bill, sister Jessie Williamson, brothers-in-law Dennis Garlick and Mervin Smirl and niece Val Garlick. Hazel's father was a school teacher, and the family lived in several towns while she was growing up, including Stonewall, Argyle, Winnipeg, Isabella, Cardale, Myrtle, Brookdale and Neepawa. After completing Grade 12, she taught at Poplar Grove School for a year, until she was old enough to train as a nurse at Winnipeg General Hospital, graduating as an RN in 1955. After graduation, she worked at Altona for a year, and then deciding she wanted further education, went to Toronto's Children's Hospital, and took training as a pediatric nurse. Following this she worked in various cities, including Peterborough, ON, Medicine Hat, AB, New Westminster, BC, and Brandon. After her marriage in 1963, she became actively involved with the farm in Brandon Hills. She and Doug moved from the farm to Applewood Bay in Brandon in 1989, and in 2013 to Western Manitoba Senior's Housing Co-op. During the years she was involved in many organizations and activities; camp counsellor at Camp Wannakumbac, life member of the Winnipeg General Hospital Alumni, volunteer with the Cancer Society, Grandmothers to Grandmothers, Compassionate Friends, Mood Disorders Association, and Child and Family Services. Hazel was active in Brandon Hills United Church, UCW, Brandon Hills Fireflies, and helped organize the Westman Suicide Bereavement Group. After moving to Brandon, she worked for a time at a nearby bakery, volunteered at Green Acres School and joined a bowling league. Her interests were varied and included gardening, reading, travelling, sewing, working with young people, bird watching and wild flower identification. A celebration of Hazel's life will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Harvey Hurren officiating. The interment will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Brandon Hills Cemetery. The family invites anyone who wishes to be present to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Hazel may be made to Samaritan House Ministries, 820 Pacific Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 0J1, or Camp Wannakumbac, Box 125, Onanole, Manitoba, R0J 1N0, or to the Brandon Hills United Church, RR#4, Box 58, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5Y4 or to a charity of choice. To get to Brandon Hills Cemetery: Travel on highway #10 4 miles south of Richmond avenue to the Spring Valley road sign, turn left and travel 4 miles east on Spring Valley road to the Brandon Hills Church sign, turn right, 1 mile south For a map to Brandon Hills Cemetery please visit: http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/brandonhillscemetery.shtml