Hazel A. Kirchner

Obituary of Hazel A. Kirchner

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Hazel Kirchner passed peacefully on August 22, 2025, just two weeks shy of her 97th birthday. Born to Swiss Italian immigrants, Rafaele and Lodovina Belletti, of Santa Cruz, CA, Hazel spent her early years on a coastal Santa Cruz farm before moving to Blackburn Street here in town. Hazel attended Santa Cruz High School where she met her future husband, Darrell Kirchner, when they were both 16 years old. In fact, Hazel was with Darrell at the local DMV on his birthday when he got his first driver's license.

The Santa Cruz High sweethearts were married at the Holy Cross Mission on January 3, 1948. They started their family in the early 1950s, eventually welcoming daughters Linda, Joan and Carol to the household.

Hazel's family meant everything to her. She spent her life as a loving mother and exceptional homemaker. Also an excellent cook, Hazel often prepared meals from her vegetable garden and baked delicious pies with the pie-perfect Gravenstein apples from the backyard tree. She was an accomplished seamstress too, crafting beautiful dresses for her three daughters to wear to school.

Hazel had a quick wit and subtle sense of humor, which never failed to endear her to family and friends. She also was a great listener and always had time to hear about each daughter's school day and other activities. Later in life one of her greatest loves was taking care of her two grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored.

When Hazel and Darrell could find the time, they enjoyed their many vacations with family, including annual summer vacations to Lake Tahoe, several Caribbean cruises, and occasional motorhome trips to Palm Springs. In 2004 Hazel traveled with her family to Italy and Switzerland to connect with her heritage. She was able to locate the

village in Switzerland where her ancestors resided and spend an afternoon walking the narrow streets of the village and taking in its stunning natural beauty and rustic stone cottages.

In addition to traveling, Hazel also enjoyed reading novels, magazines and keeping up with current events, which included discussing the politics of the day and other matters of importance. She was also a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

Hazel meant the world to her family; she will be forever missed-her memory warmly cherished. Hazel is survived by her husband of 77 years, Darrell Kirchner; her daughters, Linda Armstrong (Len), Joan Webber (Peter), and Carol Kirchner; her grandchildren, Je Armstrong, and Leah Conner (Kip); and her great granddaughter, Lola Wren Conner.

Hazel was laid to rest on August 29, 2025 at a private family service. A celebration of Hazel's life will be at a later date; if you would like to be included please email your request to hazelcol2025@gmail.com.

If so inclined, please consider a memorial donation to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or to Teen Kitchen Project of Santa Cruz.