Hazel Sarah Andreen

September 17, 1935 - November 27, 2025

Our beloved Hazel passed away peacefully at age 90, surrounded by her adoring family.

Hazel was delivered by her grandmother on the family farm in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. She grew up with 2 older brothers in a house without electricity or plumbing, just a wood stove for heat and cooking. Her parents were poor but hard working, clever and resourceful - her dad farmed the fields with horses while her mother grew and preserved all their food. The family moved to a house her dad had renovated in 1944 that had a small oil heater, a water cistern and pump close to the house.

From grades 9-12 Hazel went to school at the convent in North Battleford and boarded in a home where she assisted with housework to help cover the cost. Her mom encouraged her to enroll in pharmacy, taking her to meet with the Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Saskatoon with her report card in hand. Hazel excelled in science and math and was accepted on the spot. It was a financial hardship for the family but her parents valued education and made it work. She had to be frugal during her university years, but was pleased that after working each summer she could buy a new top and skirt and wear a different outfit to school four days a week in her graduating year.

She met Stewart Andreen in 1954 and they both graduated with pharmacy degrees in 1957. Following graduation Hazel started her career in pharmacy at the University Hospital in Saskatoon, which she really enjoyed.

Stewart and Hazel were married in 1961 and moved to their first home in Calgary. She worked at Dunford Drugs before and after the birth of Jennifer in 1962 and Gregory in 1965. The family moved to Kelowna on Halloween night in 1966 and became pharmacy owners with the opening of Kelowna Pharmacy on Bernard Avenue. Heather was born in 1967.

In 1975 Stew and Hazel opened Andreen’s Pharmacy in Lakeview Heights. Over the years, Hazel also worked part time as a pharmacist at Kelowna General Hospital, Dyck’s Pharmacy and Kelowna Mental Health. Hazel juggled work and family like a pro, saying that part time work was the hardest as she felt she couldn’t do a perfect job at work or at home - but she did. She was the glue that helped give the family a beautiful and stable life filled with love and encouragement. Somehow, she still found the time to give a helping hand to anyone in need including volunteering with the kids’ many activities, canvassing for the Cancer Society and working countless hours in the Westbank United Church thrift shop.

Hazel was a curious, lifelong learner and continually sought ways to challenge herself. She loved to read, listen to CBC Radio and take classes in a variety of interests. She was a wonderful cook, challenging herself with ethnic cooking from the many places she and Stewart travelled. She introduced the family and friends to Mexican favorites like nachos and 7-layer dip in the 1970s. Hazel produced a treasured cookbook of family recipes for Christmas 1990 on the computer. She loved ballroom dancing, playing bridge and tennis, golfing, gardening, skiing, and was an excellent seamstress and weaver. Hazel liked games and consistently beat us all at Rummikub until shortly before her death.

Hazel and Stewart renovated a home on the lake and moved there in 1981. They enjoyed entertaining their many friends and family members at this beautiful home for over 43 years. Hazel always created the most beautiful flower pots that graced the beach and yard and was always the perfect hostess. She was a kind, smart, generous and beautiful person. She adored her 8 grandchildren always thinking of special things to do for and with each of them.

Hazel was predeceased by her parents, Sarah and James Cubbon, her brothers John and Mark and her close friends Marg, Alison and Marie. She will be deeply missed by her grateful family – her devoted and loving husband of 64 years, Stewart, daughter Jennifer (Karl), son Greg (Barbara), daughter Heather (Rick) and grandchildren Mitchell, Kelsye Grace (Dylan), Eric, Scott (Tess), Emma (Garreth), Nicholas, Andrew (Jess), Sarah and her many close friends.

Rest easy Mom, you will be missed terribly as we loved you “way too much”.

The family would like to thank the staff at Orchard Manor where she was lovingly cared for in her final days.

A service will be held to honour and celebrate Hazel’s life on January 17, 2026 at 2 pm at the Central Okanagan United Church 721 Bernard Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Cystic Fibrosis Canada at cysticfibrosis.ca or a charity of your choice in Hazel’s name would be appreciated.

The service will be livestreamed on Zoom or Facebook Live

Join Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87180971824?pwd=V3BuaXJWK0JZM3RyTGVIS1ZQcFJwdz09

Meeting ID: 871 8097 1824

Passcode: 523290

OR livestream at

https://www.facebook.com/Centralokanaganunitedchurchkelownabc/

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services (Dignity Memorial) Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299