Obituary of Hazel Ellen Bassett

Hazel Ellen Bassett nee Fellers was born on December 25, 1917, in Choteau, Montana. She was the fourth child of Albert and Ivea Fellers. The family left Choteau in 1923, headed to Arras with sixteen wagons and loose stock. They moved to Feller's Heights in 1929. Hazel grew up in Feller's Heights along with her brothers, sisters and cousins, who also made up the student body of an entire school of Fellers. Hazel married Harvey Bassett on November 27, 1937 and moved down to a homestead at Upper Cutbank. In a small cabin she began raising her family. The firstborn were twins, Glenda and Glen, followed closely by Teresa and Irene. The family continued to grow with Raymond, Lenard and Cheryl. In 1960, Hazel moved into Dawson Creek, after a parting of the ways with her husband, Harvey. She waited tables at the Chicken Inn on Alaska Avenue. Later, she took a seamstress course at the college and then began working for Jack Patterson's Menswear and did sewing repairs at the Dawson Creek Cleaners. She met her soul mate, Johnny Carlson and they had many wonderful years together. Hazel enjoyed travelling and she holidayed in Hawaii and California. She liked to Okanagan area because of all the fruit grown there and thought it would be a nice place to live. Hazel's really special talent was working with a needle. She sewed by hand until she got a sewing machine. She quilted, crocheted afghans and beautiful bedspreads. She knitted sweaters, embroidered tablecloths and made needle point cushions. Later on she worked with ceramics. Her hands were badly crippled with arthritis, but she continued with her work to help keep her fingers mobile. In 1999, Hazel's health made it necessary for her to move into the Pouce Coupe Care Home. Hazel was a quiet lady who lived with dignity. She was as beautiful inside as out. She welcomed her family with a smile, happy to have a visit and showing an interest in the activities that they pursued. Hazel passed away on March 12, 2009, in Pouce Coupe at the age of 91 years. She was predeceased by her husband, Harvey, her soul mate Johnny, her sons, Raymond and Lenard, one grandchild Gaylen, two great-grandchildren, Danielle and Derrick and ten brothers and sisters. Left to cherish her memory are her three sisters, Dorothy, Virginia and Norma, her children, Glenda, Glen (Eva), Teresa, Irene, Cheryl (Les) and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 1:00pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Rev. Marilyn Carroll officiated, interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, B.C.