How do we sum up our dear, spunky, passionate Hazel…she was absolutely incredible.
Our beloved mother, daughter, Grammy, aunt, sister, and friend Hazel, left us suddenly but peacefully in her sleep, of a heart attack while visiting her family and newest granddaughter in Northern Alberta. Hazel, will be remembered for her constant smile and laughter, her energetic enthusiasm for life and family, her wicked dance moves, and the passion for her family.
Daughter of William (passed at age 43 of heart attack) and Edna McIntyre of Vancouver, BC, Hazel McIntyre was born March.14, 1950 with a smile on her face that rarely went away.
An amazing, sparkly spirit, Hazel has given so much of her love, her wisdom, and her compassion for people freely, beautiful things to carry with us for the rest of our lives.
Hazel’s done everything from working in the student union building at UBC with her girlfriends (where she met and married a cute engineer named Steve), to being a spandex clad mid 80’s aerobics & fitness instructor, to dancing with the much more refined Maxwell School of Dance in Castlegar, BC. She started her own children’s clothing line, then went on to do production work for a local designer.
Despite being diagnosed with an aggressive form of arthritis, Hazel continued to show her zest and enthusiasm for life by training and completing her first marathon in Bermuda. She then moved on to a number of charity road bike races, and finally triathlons, training with her beloved Mountain Spirit Triathlon Club in Nelson, BC.
Hazel and her husband of 30 years, Steve Miller, devoted themselves to raising their 4 children, Garnet Miller (Heather), Shelby Gielen (Scott), Lindy Miller (Seykoya 8yrs), and Darci Wiwchar (Kim, Hudson 2yrs, Bronwyn 2 weeks). She is also survived by her younger sister Sue Smith (Bruce), and her beloved niece Sara McIntyre (Jose), and nephew Matthew Smith
Hazel had so much love in her to give that even after devoting herself to her children and 3 beloved grandchildren she extended herself to the Salmo Community. After raising her family, Hazel graduated from the Social Service Worker program at Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC in 1992 and began her work in Salmo, which spanned over 23 years with the RCMP Victim Services, as well as the Salmo Community Services. Hazel’s passion for her beloved playgroups and her work with young families in Salmo is a true testament to her compassionate and selfless nature.
It is because of this passion that in lieu of flowers, our family is encouraging donations to be made to the Salmo Community Services, with ‘Hazel’ in the memo, to continue her work.
A memorial for Hazel will take place on Saturday, October.3, 2015 at Lakeside Park in Nelson, BC at 2:00pm, with an after party and at her triathlon team’s favourite hang-out, Finlay’s Bar & Grill and a slideshow of her beautiful life at 5:00pm. Come prepared to celebrate, laugh, and remember with love this incredible woman.
Please contact info@shelbymiller.ca for more information.