Obituary of Hazel Irene Fraser

Hazel Irene Fraser

On May 13, 2025, my Nana, Hazel Irene Fraser (née Johnstone), passed away peacefully at the age of 91 at East Kootenay Regional Hospital, surrounded by the people who loved her most. Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing she left this world with the same grace and strength she lived her life with.

Nana was born on September 11, 1933, in Nakusp, BC, to Albert Johnstone of Hawkesbury, Ontario, and Bertha Amelia Roberts of Red Hill, Surrey, England. She was the second oldest of four siblings and was predeceased by her brothers Wilfred (Bud), Gordon, and Jack, as well as her sisters-in-law Rose, Donna, and Leanne.

She married my grandfather, Allan Lloyd Fraser, on August 31, 1956. Tragically, their time together was short—he passed away suddenly on November 27, 1962. Nana carried the loss with quiet resilience, raising their daughter, my mom Laurel, with unwavering love and strength.

Nana spent most of her life in Marysville, BC – a place that meant the world to her. She worked hard at several local businesses including the Hudson Bay Company, Marysville Hardware, Marysville Mercantile, and Craig’s Food Mart. She was known throughout the community for her kindness, reliability, and sense of humor.

Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and countless games of cards around the kitchen table. She was always crocheting something beautiful, ready to lend a hand, and always volunteering with the Marysville Hospital Auxiliary – one of the many ways she quietly gave back to her beloved community.

To me, my sister Kathryn, and our partners – Meg and Paul – she was simply “Nana.” She was the steady heart of our family, our biggest supporter, and our gentle guide through life. She was the kind of person whose love didn’t need grand gestures – it lived in the little things: the sound of her kind voice, the feel of her hand on your shoulder, and the joy of just sitting beside her in the quiet.

She leaves behind my mom Laurel, her two grandchildren (Kathryn and me), and so many friends and extended family members whose lives she touched with her kindness and spirit.

We’ll be holding a private celebration of Nana’s life at a later date. If you wish to honour her memory, donations to the Marysville Hospital Auxiliary would reflect her lifelong dedication to helping others.

We miss her deeply, but we carry her in everything we do.

With love and remembrance,
Dustin Fraser

mcphersonfh.com