Hazel Elizabeth Gordon-Morrison

Hazel Elizabeth Gordon-Morrison passed away peacefully in Bridgewater, N.S. following a brief but severe illness in Florida. Hazel was born in Sydney, Cape Breton on August 12, 1929. Hazel left Cape Breton Island for nursing school at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax in the early 1950s. But running deep through her soul, like a seam of Glace Bay coal, was the best that island nurtures in its sons and daughters. She was feisty, fierce, funny and flamboyant; as strong as Sydney steel and as gentle as the Mira in late August. In Halifax she met the first love of her life, Peter Gordon. They grew up on different streets; Hazel was a steel worker’s daughter, Peter was a banker’s boy. Hazel was nurse and Peter a doctor. Both of them had one thing in common – the gift of healing. Both used that gift to comfort each other, family and strangers. After Peter’s death, Hazel re-kindled an old friendship with Roy Morrison. The two them married and enjoyed a new life together in Nova Scotia and Florida. Hazel was never Mrs. Gordon, or Mrs. Morrison or even mom; Hazel was simply Hazel. She was on first name terms with the world and expected the same in return. Hazel was always a snappy dresser and she had a snappy tongue to match. She gave as good as she got in any conversation. Hazel could blast a barb that was so funny even the victim had to laugh. At her most clever, she could do the New York Times crossword puzzle in twenty minutes and then would spend the next two hours discussing what the German word “schadenfreude” really meant. Hazel had a spectacular mind that was formed by her roots, polished by her parents, Robert and Isabelle, and shared with everyone she met. Hazel’s best friend was her sister Marilyn, her favourite colour was mauve and sunrise was her preferred time day. She liked her wine red and her gin with just a splash of tonic. Hazel was predeceased by her parents Robert and Isabelle (McKinnon) McLean; first husband Peter Gordon and sister Marilyn Janigan. She is survived by her husband Roy; sons Rob (Dawn), Jim (Calvin) and daughter Eleanor (Jim); stepchildren Cathy, Linda, Maria and Steve. A celebration of Hazel’s well-lived life will take place later this summer. Any donations in Hazel’s memory can be made to the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation. Hazel was a nurse, so she knew her final days were near. One of the last things she said as she was wheeled toward the operating room door was: “Am I still beautiful?” She said it with her trade-mark flirtatious smile. Yes. Yes, Hazel you are still beautiful.