Hazel Fisher

This page is to remember my grandmother, I will never forget the ole girl, and she will always be in my thoughts and prayers. We had a long relationship that endured for all of my life, through good times and bad. I think about her often and miss her a lot more than that. She was always someone I enjoyed talking with, and there are still times today when I think, I better call Hazy, and tell her what's going on in my life. To this day, I still drive by her apartment and automatically look to see who she has visiting. She called me up one day and said, " Michael, I want you to come over and argue some politics". She went on, "Everyone else I argued with today, was too dumb". Hazel Fisher Eulogy November 21, 2003 Just before the eulogy started, Janice McKnight noticed that I had missed Hazy Baby’s birthday by 2 months on the programme. When I went up to the podium I told everyone about my mistake and what Hazel would have said, “That figures”. Hazel Fisher was born on May 24, 1910, to Jack and Laura Stagg in Staynor, Ontario. She grew up on a farm in the early days and it was a hard life. Her family gave up the farm and moved to Black Diamond, Alberta where she met and married, as she told me, the only man she ever loved, John Fisher, on January 20, 1934 and had four children, Carolyn Kay, John Garry, William Brett, and Robert Tuckett The Fisher family moved to Ft St John from Black Diamond in 1953 where her husband was employed with Pacific Petroleum and has been here ever since. Her husband died in 1966 but she remained here. She worked for Plains Western gas for a long period of time, 15 years, I think. She was called by all her grandchildren and others, Gammie, as for me in my later years I called her Hazy Baby which she didn’t mind, cause if she did, I wouldn’t have done it. She was a woman of a strong religious faith, she prayed and talked to God daily and she was a good friend to many people, young and old alike, as her friend Ann Gordon put it, a grand old lady. She always supported the Calvary Baptist Church and was one of its senior members until her health kept her from attending. Carolyn recalls that she decided as a child that you didn’t want a spanking from mother, she would take Dad any day. After talking with Brett he totally concurs. Her mom caught her with a candy cane that she didn’t pay for and spanked her all the way back to the store, where she had to go and tell the store owner what she did. That pretty much ended mother’s criminal career. Florence recalls what a wonderful cook Gammie was, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and apple pie was a great memory on many Sundays. Her raisin cookies we will miss, she never would share that recipe totally, she always left one part out and nobody has been able to break the code. Afghans were made for everyone, kids and grandkids. If anyone would call her she was always interested and concerned with what the caller had to say. That is a trait of a good friend, ask you how you are and actually wait for the answer. She had a unique style to her, you always knew where you stood. Hazel could give you just a little shot, with a wry smile on her face. If you asked her what you as a grandson did wrong, you best be prepared for the answer. The lonely bird: While taking Gammie shopping one day she remarked about a little black bird that sat on a wire all by itself. It had lost its mate and had returned to her neighborhood for several years. She said “Oh Mike, that poor lonely bird”. Then after a pause of a moment she said, “I wish somebody would shoot it.” I said “ Maybe he doesn’t want to get whacked.” She replied, “He’s so lonely”. Many a time we would go shopping, where Gammie would tell the storeowners exactly what she thought of their prices. Then she would turn to me and say, “Did I embarrass you yet?” Oh, Yes. Hired a man to put up curtains and he didn’t swear once, as compared to her sons and grandsons. She said it was a whole lot simpler. I don’t give slips; A lady who came to her house was admiring a plant Hazel had and said “ Oh Hazel, I’ll have to get a slip off that plant from you.” Hazel matter of factly said “ I don’t give slips.” Alrighty, then. I think if you look at me and then compare me with the size of my grandmother, that in a fair fight, I could take her. That didn’t faze Hazel a bit, “Michael, I want Western Family oatmeal, if you bring back the wrong stuff, I’ll kill ya.” Public Health Nurse Dawn Carter was told when she did a home visit to make sure she was done every thing she needed to do by three o’clock, as Dr. Phil would be on and she wasn’t planning on missing it. Telling Dr Hattingh to speed things up, as she had to wait a half an hour and she was an old lady and she didn’t like to wait. Zandee returning groceries I bought back to the store, as Gammie didn’t want to hurt my feelings, by bringing her the wrong size. Being a gentleman, which side you walk on, when with a lady, always has stuck with me. Open the door for ladies and take your hat off when entering, or you would be in trouble, son Bob recalls. Dry sense of humour, She could be blunt, but she was also cognizant of others feelings and never would intentionally hurt anyone. She was not just a grandmother to me, but a major part of my life, if I went more than 2 or 3 days without stopping by or calling, I received a call asking me: This is your grandmother, do you remember me? Or if son Bob did the same thing, “ Hi Bob, I’m Hazel, pleased to meet you.” Ya dumb cluck Her mind was sharp as she stayed interested in the world around her, she was up on current events and could talk or debate politics with anyone. On marriage and alcohol she said, I have had only one drink, and one husband, one was enough of each. My sister Patty writes: Wherever a soul has been there is a long road of memories. This is what Gammie left behind: Memories of hugs and kisses, waffles Sunday after church. Long talks, laughter whether over a good joke, or her dry wit. I will miss our Sunday talks but know I will always have her in my heart. I will miss her great hugs but know I can wrap myself in one of the afghans she made me, and feel her presence yet again. I will miss her, but I know she is finally able to “catch up” with her Lord and her mom. See you again, Gam. Gammie told me and others many times that she couldn’t see how other old people could survive without families as she always appreciated hers so much. It was one of Hazel’s last wishes to be sure to recognize her beloved daughter Carolyn, for all of the help and support she gave her, with trips to doctors, organizing medications, and just being there for every need she had. Mother did everything she could to make Hazel’s life easier and it could sometimes be difficult. I can recall a particular time when mother was trying to buy Hazel some paint by numbers to give her some hobby to occupy her time. I can remember Hazel telling me, “That Carolyn, bless her heart, is trying to get me into a hobby, but I don’t want a hobby. How am I going to tell her?” I would also like to take time to mention the family members and friends who were so helpful in Hazel’s last days, the friends who came to see her, Esther Fisher, who spent two nights with her at home before she came to the hospital. Bob and Arlene Fisher, Florence Fisher, Garry Fisher, Shayne Tulloch and Zandee Packer. When she was moved into the palliative care room we were there 24 hours a day in various shifts, so Gammie always had someone there with her. Also Pastor Brian Lum who was there daily, not just for a short while, but spending a lot of his time, lending support to everyone. Thank you. I told her several days ago, Gam, I will tell you what, when you go to be with your mom and loved ones who have gone before, I may shoot that bird for you, so you will all be together. So, in conclusion, my grandmother was an elegant lady who always took care of herself and was always there for her family and friends. She has left a large void in our lives, but she is in a better place, she didn’t fear death, she welcomed it. I can hear her now saying, Lord Love A Duck, what are all these people sad about? May God bless her. Michael Harrison - Grandson