- Date Of Birth: October 28, 1911
- Date Of Death: May 17, 2016
- State: Idaho
Hazel Marie Smallwood of Wilder, Idaho passed away at the age of 104 on May 17, 2016 at home surrounded by family.
Hazel was born on October 28, 1911 in Princeton, Missouri to Fay and Maud (Rust) Carter the fifth of six children. The family lived in Missouri until Hazel was eight years old then moved to Texas for four years only to return to Missouri. Hazel attended school through the eighth grade and in 1980, at the age of 69 she obtained her GED through BSU.
Hazel met Nova Smallwood at a singing event when she was 15 years old. The two were married on October 3, 1928. Hazel and Nova were blessed with eight children. In 1948 the family moved to Wilder, Idaho where they purchased the home that Hazel would live in the remainder of her life. In October 1960 Nova passed away.
Hazel worked in the fields prior to 1962, then she went to work at Swifts for 3 years. During the winters she worked at Simplot’s, and at Birdseye during the summer until she was able to get full-time employment at Simplot’s. She retired from Simplot’s at the age of 65, then went on to work at Symm’s fruit ranch until she officially retired in 1986 at the age of 75.
She was able to travel to many places later in life, back and forth across the United States as well as Germany, Spain, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Canada.
Quilting and sewing were her favorite hobbies where she made countless quilts to share with family and friends. One could always find a puzzle she was working on in various stages of completion, and she was always up for a game of dominoes.
Family and friends gathered every October to honor her on her birthday with her favorite; a hotdog roast-potluck.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Eldon and Ray. three sisters Edna, Bessie and Ruby, her husband Nova, and three of her loving children Vera, Arzell and Doyle.
A sincere thank you to the caregivers of Special Touch of Home and St. Al’s Hospice for the loving care shown to Mother.
On behalf of all your loved ones, thank you for all the years and memories you provided. You touched so many lives with your love and kindness. WE LOVE YOU.
