Hazel Louise Balach

Hazel L. Balach, 94, of Delta, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 2,

2025. She was born on November 1, 1931, to Howard and Ella (Davis) Mahaffey in

Marion, Virgina.

Hazel moved from Chilhowie, Virgina to Hickory, Maryland when she was a child and

grew up on the family farm. Known as "Miss Hazel" or "Haze," she embodied strength

and confidence from her modest rural roots through her life as a wife, mother,

grandmother, friend and retiree.

She was the loving wife of the late Steve Balach, who swept her off her feet when he

was stationed at Aberdeen and she was working at the Woolworth's candy counter in

Bel Air, Maryland. Like a romance movie from the '50s, they had a 36-year partnership

full of love, adventures and laughter as sweet as the candy that brought them together.

Hazel had a career working at McCorquodale Color Card Co. and retired as a

supervisor after over 30 years with the company.

Hazel had many interests throughout her long life. She was a wonderful cook and

enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, shopping, watching football, especially the

Baltimore Ravens, and traveling with family and friends, venturing to Wyoming, Arizona,

Hawaii, Bermuda, cruises in the Caribbean, Southern California, and beyond. When the

weather was nice, she took pride in mowing her own lawn (even this year!) on her riding

lawn mower and in the winter months, keeping her home warm with a fire in her

fireplace.

She was a longtime member of Bel Air Church, 2430 Conowingo Rd., Bel Air, MD

21015, and the ladies' group, where she participated in regular gatherings and ministry.

Hazel was heavily involved in the funeral ministry and community outreach. She cooked

and delivered food to anyone in need. Many lives were positively impacted because of

her generosity, warm heart and presence in their lives. Most of all, Hazel loved her

friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She was classy, sweet, quick-witted

and everyone who knew her loved her. She will be dearly missed.

Hazel is survived by two children, Mark (Karen) Balach, Dean Balach; two

grandchildren, Jason (Elena) Balach and Katelyn Balach; and one great grandchild,

Clara Balach.

In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Balach

and two younger sisters Helen Baker and Jean Gentry.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Bel Air Church or the

American Diabetes Association.