MAY 17, 1928 – DECEMBER 26, 2023
Born May 17, 1928 to Edna and Norman Markle in a farmhouse on Kossuth Road on the outskirts of the former town of Preston, Hazel Sitler passed away peacefully at Cambridge Memorial Hospital with her children by her side on December 26, 2023.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children Evelyn (Bob Crosby), Carolyn, Tim (Marie) and Andy (Leslie), grandchildren Timothy and Matthew (Crosby) and Emma Sitler, also nephew, John Hofstetter (Maria), and nieces Susan (Chuck Pautler), Elizabeth (pre-deceased husband Bill Noonan), and Mary Hofstetter. Fondly remembered by many great nieces and nephews. Hazel was predeceased by her husband Paul (1999), sister Helen and brother in-law Gerald Hofstetter.
Hazel was an active member of Trillium United Church in Cambridge. Prior to its consolidation with Trillium church, Hazel was an active member of Zion United Church where she taught Sunday School and was also the Church Treasurer.
After attending business school in Galt at a young age, Hazel started work at ‘Werlich’s’ manufacturing in Preston. She then spent the rest of her career at ‘the Potato Chip Factory’ and then at Snyder’s Potatoes where she met her future husband Paul, and married him in 1952. Throughout her long career at Snyder’s Potatoes, she managed all aspects of the business operations and also made many lifetime friends.
In addition to raising a family and working full-time, Hazel was an active member of the United Church Women, the Women’s Institute and Founder of the Church Knotting Group which was an extension of the Quilting Group. All her life, Hazel found time to volunteer but when she retired at age 65 volunteering blossomed into a full time passion doing many things such as serving tea and making cookies for Fairview Mennonite Home, answering phones for a distress line, preparing food for Meals on Wheels and many other activities, never turning down anyone when asked.
On the family farm on Beaverdale Road, her vast vegetable gardens and fruit orchard kept her busy canning and preserving. She did not like to waste a thing – everything harvested was canned, frozen, pickled or turned into sauce. Mom was known to all for her tasty “Nuts and Bolts” treats at Christmas time. Everyone - neighbours, friends, family – even the youngest received a bag of them. Mom gave up driving in her 80’s and her new wheels became a golf cart which she loved to ride around the farm and neighbourhood. She took delight in seeing family and neighbours enjoying the property on Beaverdale Road including visiting Andy’s adopted farm pets - dogs, kittens, sheep, goats, chickens and roosters. She also loved it when neighbours came to visit with their children for a cup of tea and some of her home made ginger cookies.
We are grateful for her housekeeper Sue, and homecare services. Special thanks to Lifeline, the paramedics and wonderful staff at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for their exceptional and passionate care.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Hazel’s life at Trillium United Church, 450 King Street, Cambridge beginning with a visitation on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Her funeral service will be conducted by Reverend Mark Rutledge at 11:00 am, followed by a reception in the church hall. Private interment will follow at Zion United Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations to Trillium United Church https://www.trilliumchurch.ca/ or
Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation https://cmhfoundation.ca/donate/ are greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Barthel Funeral Home
