Hazel Beryl Durham passed away peacefully April 29, 2016 with her husband and children by her side. Hazel was predeceased by her parents Bill and Alice Dilts. She joined her eldest sister Lill, who passed away on the same day 44 years prior. She was also predeceased by her sister Nancy and brother Buzzy. She leaves to mourn; her husband of 66 years, James (Jim) Durham, daughters Roberta, Debbie (Tom), sons Mac and Greg (Kathy), grandchildren Randie (Thomas), Amanda (Riley) Scott, Tim, Tessa, Samantha, Megan, Brianna, Kayla, Austin & Jackson and 7 great grandchildren.
Hazel was born in Elko on August 12, 1929. She was the third eldest in a family of 12 children. She was raised in Waldo and on the family farm in the Plumbob. As a young lady Hazel worked as a waitress at the Nu Way Cafe in Cranbrook. Jim saw Hazel standing on a hill side in a nice white blouse. It was love at first sight for Jim. Hazel took a while to convince. Jim pursued the relationship and after a 5 year courtship married her on September 27, 1950. The first 6 years of their marriage were busy. They moved around, living in logging camps working for Knight’s Lumber Camp in places like the Crowsnest. In 1956, they moved to their present residence so that Roberta could start school. Over the years they expanded the house, the farm and the family, making Jaffray their home for life. Hazel worked hard beside her husband, teaching her children how to throw and stack hay bales, drive a tractor and move irrigation. Hazel volunteered as a Brownie and Guide leader, as the Galloway Curling Club and Jaffray Hall secretary and an organizer of Mayday celebrations. She couldn’t teach her husband to dance, so she spent many hours dancing with her children around the living room. Hazel loved music and had a lovely singing voice.
She will be missed, but will always be remembered as feisty, candid, and bold. She was selfless, providing wisdom and advice as needed. She was and will continue to be a source of strength and courage inside us all.

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