Hazel M. Weiner

Hazel M. Canfield Weiner of Monroe, CT, passed away peacefully at the age of 103 years and 7 months on January 7, 2026 in Plantsville, CT.

Hazel was born in Hartford, CT on May 11, 1922 to James and Genevieve Canfield. Hazel was one of seven siblings. Hazel lived through the depression which included being evicted from their home after her parents lost their farms and livelihood when the banks collapsed.

She attended a one room school house in Bloomfield CT. After high school Hazel babysat, cleaned houses and worked at Pratt & Whitney to help pay for her college education. Hazel graduated in 1946 with honors and a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph College (now University) and with a Master of Social Work degree in 1959 from the University of Connecticut.

Hazel had an unflappable moral compass guided by compassion and safety for all. Early in her career Hazel worked briefly in the field of child welfare, but the bulk of her career was serving at the West Haven CT Veterans Medical Center. There she was a trailblazer in alcohol addiction treatment and in career advancement for women. Hazel successfully sued the VA to break through the “glass ceiling” which at the time limited women’s career advancement. Hazel held no animosity toward the VA, simply smiling and saying, “I can [have the means to sue], therefore I should”. Every step of the way Hazel was supported by her loving husband, Bill.

Hazel married the love of her life, William “Bill” H. Weiner on June 2, 1950. They met at a jazz club and carried their love of music, travel and entertaining for the remainder of their lives together. Hazel and Bill loved their home which they designed in the Frank Lloyd Wright style and built in 1954. Hazel was an avid gardener and Bill a gifted sculpture in his later years. Their home was beautiful and welcoming to the many family and friends they hosted over the years. They knew no strangers. They both loved animals and had many pet cats and dogs. One of their Boxers was awarded "Best in Show" at the Westminster dog show.

Hazel was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill, her parents, James and Genevieve Canfield (both immigrants of Ireland), her sister Helen, brothers William, Jim (and his wife Edythe), Robert and Daniel (and his wife Barbara). Her much beloved brother, John, aka “Bud” (named so because Hazel cared for him as a child and called him her ‘little buddy’) is 102 years old and lives in California. Bud was predeceased by his beloved Army veteran wife Neva who passed away in 2004 and their beloved daughter, Diana Mae, who died of cancer in 1973. Robert’s wife, Tillie, is well and lives in Connecticut.

Hazel is survived by her many nieces/nephews, their children and grandnephews and nieces who live throughout the United States.

Services will be held on January 11th at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home. The viewing will be from 1pm to 1:30pm with funeral services from 1:30pm to 2:15pm. Father Joseph Gill of St. Jude’s Church of Monroe, CT will officiate. Burial will follow at the B’Nai Israel Cemetery, 425 Moose Hill Road, Monroe, CT 06468.

Donations in Hazel’s memory are appreciated to support either or both of the following:

LiveWell Memory Care Facility

1261 Main Street

Plantsville, CT 06479-1750

1-860-628-9000

https://livewell.org/donate/

Please note: “In Memory of Hazel Weiner”

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13

c/o Al Meadows, Treasurer

17 Cedar Hill Road

Huntington, CT 06484

Please note: “Operation Gift Card In Memory of Hazel Weiner”

Both the Weiner and Canfield families thank Hazel and Bill for their lifetime of love. We also thank Lisa Krauss and Beth Sadick of Growing Options and Noreen and Chris Barbarula for their loving care of Hazel while she was still living at home, and the wonderful memory care staff of LiveWell and Doreen Secondo for their outstanding care of Hazel.

The funeral service will follow at the same location, starting at 1:30 pm. The service can also be joined through a livestream at the

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26016231095854