Hazel Marie Wilhelm

1924 - 2015

Hazel Marie Wilhelm

Chesapeake - Hazel Marie Wilhelm, 90, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2015. Hazel was born on October 9, 1924 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Clifton and Lena Forshey. She was an only child who grew up climbing trees and never wanting to come inside for dinner. In 1944, she met the man she would love for the rest of her life, George Carl Wilhelm. Hazel and George married on December 25, 1945, while George was on a brief break from the Pacific serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Just over nine months after their wedding, Hazel and George welcomed their first child, Janis. Two years later, their second child, Paul, was born. Hazel was often with the children by herself while George was serving in the Navy. Many years later, Hazel still loved to share stories of special times together with Janis and Paul, especially their movie nights, when hot dogs were ten cents and drinks were a nickel. While the children were young, George's naval assignment moved the family to Chesapeake, Virginia. There, Hazel served as the founding president of the Brentwood Garden Club, in which she was actively involved for most of her life.

In 1979, Hazel became a grandmother for the first time, when Janis's daughter, Molly, was born. She later welcomed two more grandchildren, Molly's sister, Courtney, and Paul's son, Carl. Hazel often took care of her grandchildren and enjoyed living nearby to watch them grow up. She loved all little children her entire life and was especially excited to become a great-grandmother when Molly had two children, Emily (age 5) and Andrew (age 1).

Hazel was a long-time member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Portsmouth. She and George spent their retirement years living in Admirals Landing overlooking the Elizabeth River. Hazel later moved to Richmond to be closer to her children, where she lived in Brandermill Woods and attended Brandermill Church. The family wishes to thank the staff of Brandermill Woods for loving and helping take care of Hazel the last two years of her life.

Hazel was known for never having met a stranger-she was friendly and talkative with everyone she met. A quick way to Hazel's heart was to pour her a glass of wine. She did not drink while George was in the Navy, and she said she needed several glasses to make up for lost time. Hazel had an infectious sense of humor and could put a smile on anyone's face. She always loved the color purple, and in recent years, you could see her coming from a mile away when she wore her bright purple sneakers.

Hazel is survived by her children and their spouses (Janis and Daniel Carrell of Richmond, Paul and Robin Wilhelm of Midlothian), her grandchildren and their spouses (Molly and Brad Pierce of Chicago, Courtney Carrell and David Diamond of Dallas, Carl Wilhelm of Columbia, South Carolina), her great-grandchildren, and her dearest friend and sister-in-law, Garnet Wilhelm Stephens of Marietta, Ohio. Hazel was predeceased by her parents and husband.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 17 at 1 PM at Holy Communion Lutheran Church with Pastor Aaron Fuller officiating. Inurnment of her ashes will take place at a later date in the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sturtevant Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Communion Lutheran Church. www.sturtevantfuneralhome.com