Rita Richmond
What does one say when a talented, sweet, caring friend dies? Hazel and I go back to the mid-1980’s as friends at All Saints Healthcare System. Of course back then it was called St. Mary’s Medical Center. I can’t think of a day that went by without one or the other of us laughing so hard we were ready to cry. You see, stress does that to a person. We worked in fast-paced environments expecting a great deal out of us, but we loved it. Luck for me Hazel was a friend that was ready to laugh so hard and cry with me any day of the week. Hazel had a contagious laugh. We found funny things in the everyday stresses from our work. That’s what real friends are all about. I so will miss her. By 1998 I left All Saints for other employment. But, I’m so grateful for the few times Hazel and I would get together over breakfast or lunch. The last time was with two other former All Saints employees, and we all leaned on each other over our losses of friends, children, husband and of course, over Hazel’s sweet grandchild, Amber. Hazel just loved that little girl so very, very much. Without even knowing Amber, I felt like I knew her through Hazel. My deepest, deepest sympathy goes out to your family and to all of those who were friends of Hazel. We have lost a very good friend indeed.