Hazel Christina McIlvride

Mini Saga of McIlvrides
at Hazel’s passing 2009

What comes to my mind when I think of “Hazel McIlvride”:

--John (Granda)- accidentally shot his faviurate ox Duke in Saskatchewan
--Grandma (Bella)- midwife to early Saskatchewan territory and historical assistant for Dr. Scratch
--Peter - left due to sniper April 1917 at 16 years of age at Passchaendael France
--Betty & Lem- frequent discussions & study of microscope borroerd from The Atlas lab by Ross re infective cysts in pork products
--Anna & Charlie- delivery of son Douglas on Fitch Street with Dr. Hignal (Welland had no hospital until five years later.)
--Margaret & Ross -lived in Atlas House one McAlpine St a block away from where we Macs lived at 38 Cohoe Street Welland
Ross Hogue -sudden departure in 1938 from goitre problem & surrounded by mourners
Margaret & lloyd -Doug & Bill driven to Toronto and back in mill truck
Chester & Charkie -orded by Anna to get the odiferous remains of curing trapped beavers out of the house or else!
--Hazel & Betty Fraser -mail arrival of a mystery book box in Langley BC in 1943
Books as contained therein were:
White House Boys
Story of a Bad Boy by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
Shaganappi by E. Pauline Johnson
(Yes I remember those books well. )
I read those books countless times.
We had no public library in Langley in the 1940’s.

Also in 2006 when I went to teach English in China, Hazel thoughr it was marvelous for me to do so. It was my last human contact with Haze.
I shall never forget my Aunt Hazel. Pax vobisco Hazel.

--from Doug & Arlene MacDonald
38 Altamont Road
Toronto Ont. M2M 1S7

289-284-0385
eMail: [email protected]

PS The oxen in pioneer Saskarchewan were, other than rafts in the river, the only affordable form of transportation in that era.

--CDM

Aunt Hazel told me her brother Peter named her after his favourite tree, the hazelnut, which grew wild around their homestead in Maymont,Sask. Lots of memories and lots of LOVE left with us.

Great Aunt Hazel always had a good, true story for you, if you asked her for one. My favourite bit taken from one of her stories is:

"I was born after there had been a lot of rain. My brother Peter was with my mother and helping her when I was born. You see the doctor rode an ox cart, and the oxen couldn't cross the river when the water was high. They'd wash away. So your Granda and my brother had to deliver me at home."

An ox cart. How cool is that?

I don't have the words to say just how much Miss Hazel will be missed by so many people. She was a true Christian
who embraced everyone from every walk of life and religion. A true example to look up to and admire to all of us who loved her. I will miss her cheery disposition and her little hymns which were sung in the office of Dr. J. Brooks for so many years. No matter how poorly Miss Hazel felt - she always made everyone feel better in some small way.
We love you Miss Hazel and may you now be in the arms of the Lord stirring up everyone in heaven with your sweet disposition and loving heart. I will always remember you and love you - Nelda xoxoxoxo

We have the most wonderful memories of our Dear Aunt Hazel. I became a nurse because I wanted to be just like her. We hold our memories close to our hearts. Evie & Peter Hocson