Hazel Blanche Chapman's Obituary
Our sweet “Hazel Nut,” (a name she gave herself), passed away peacefully August 15, 2016. Hazel Blanche Chapman was born June 17, 1925 in Alamosa, Colorado to Evelyn and Archie Chapman. Her sister, Marie Van Sickle, and brother, Elbert Chapman, preceded her in death. She attended schools in Alamosa and was very athletic. Hazel especially loved soft ball, gymnastics and square dancing. She also loved singing in the high school choir and with a local band. Hazel loved fishing and often bragged when she out-fish the guys. Hazel was charitable and kind. She often took her miniature dachshund Penny Girl to retirement homes and let the residents pet and hold the dog.
After high school, Hazel worked as a sales clerk for Woolsworth’s Five and Dime and later as a telephone operator for the phone company (Ma Bell) in Alamosa. Hazel helped her mother care for her father while he fought cancer until his death in 1955. In 1965, Hazel and her mother moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Hazel continued working for the phone company as an operator and later as a fraud investigator. Hazel had many adventures working as a fraud investigator as she flew around Arizona in a helicopter. Hazel retired from the phone company in March of 1983, after 34 years. She continued to care for her mother until her mother’s death in November of that year.
Hazel was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings. In her final years, as Hazel’s memory slipped, she was cared for by her sister, Marie and her loving Phoenix family, the Van Sickles and Wernes. Later, Hazel lived at Sarah’s Place Assisted Living in Glendale, Arizona. After the passing of her sister in 2014 Hazel moved to Taylorsville, Utah where she was cared for by the staff at Legacy House of Taylorsville, first in assisted living and for the last year in the memory care unit. We thank the many staff members at Legacy House who lovingly cared for our Hazel. We also thank Dr. Leigh Ann Garcia who was not only Hazel’s doctor, but her friend. We also thank Hazel’s hospice nurses, Rose and Holly.
Hazel is survived by her sister-in-law, Nedra Chapman, the Vansickle and Werne families, and “her kids,” her nieces and nephews. There will be a family viewing at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the West Jordan Heritage 10th Ward Relief Society Room, 7645 S. 3200 West, West Jordan, Utah.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, August 22, 2016 at Legacy House of Taylorsville, 6302 S. Gold Medal Dr. Taylorsville, Utah.
Interment will be Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in the Sanford Cemetery, Sanford, Colorado.
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