Mrs. Hazel Daphne Ann Hastings

She was predeceased by her loving husband Carlton Edwin.

Beloved mother to Mary, Cheryl (T'Ann), Carlton (Caroline) and Liz (Chris).

Cherished Nana to Adam (Carolyn), Keith (Paula), Matthew (Meagan), Harrison, Mackenzie, Mary, Sarah and Charlotte.

Adoring Big Nana to Alyson, Briar, Bridget and Calvin.

She will be missed by Jean and by Effie (Victor) and predeceased by her brother Richard (deceased Veronica).

She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her extended family and friends.

Mum’s passion for her family, lifelong learning and independence guided her path through life. From a young age in Calcutta, Hazel thirsted for education, she ensured she completed her schooling, went on to become a nurse, and leveraged that expertise along with her husband Carl to emigrate to Canada in 1965. Hazel continued to upgrade her skills in nursing, while raising a young family. She was the heart of the family, representing warmth and love. Hazel was fiercely independent, in spite of health challenges, she worked hard to ensure she could walk and be as independent as possible in her daily life all while maintaining a cheerful countenance. Hazel is an inspiration to her family and friends and will be dearly missed.

EULOGY FOR HAZEL DAPHNE ANN HASTINGS

Funeral Mass November 11, 2023 - St. Marguerite D'Youville Church, Brampton, Ontario.

Author/Reader: Carl Hastings

I would like to thank all the family and friends that are here today to say goodbye to mom. Some of you knew her, some of you are here to support us, and we are truly grateful for all of you.

I would especially like to thank Father Roger for celebrating mom’s funeral mass, that was really important to mom. Thank you to our cousin Kim and her husband Mike for the music today and Iris, Cheryl's friend and our family friend for her beautiful solo.

Mom passed away early on Tuesday morning. She had lots of family visit her Monday. I know she loved and appreciated that, as my sisters and I did. Thank you all for coming to pray and visit with mom.

Thank you also to all the friends and family who kept in touch with mom, especially after dad passed away. After moving to Milton, mom kept in touch with people with regular calls. Aunty Jean was daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Her connection to you all was very important to her.

Our entire family is a motley group, but loveable, and mom loved her family and friends very much.

Hazel Daphne Ann was born in Calcutta on February 28th,1936. Mom was 87 years old and lived a long, full and happy life. Mom was, (according to her) at her tallest 4’11’’. I think that was very wishful thinking. With her arthritis and bone issues she was closer to 4’3”. It is amazing how such a tiny little person had such a huge impact on so many people’s lives.

Mom was a nurse in India. Mom, dad and my sister Mary moved to Canada in 1965.

Nursing was a very important part of who my mother was. Once in Canada she recertified at Ryerson. Her first nursing job was at Our Lady of Mercy, then Riverdale, then a long stint at the Hospital for Sick Kids. She finished her official nursing career at St. Josephs.

Mom told us how important education was to her and went to school before she was 4 years old. In India you had to pay for school from the very beginning, and even when there was no money to pay for school she went to the head master and begged to just sit at the back of the class so she could observe and learn.

Mom had some adventures during her nursing career in Canada. One that always stands out for me was when she was chosen to transfer a baby to Kingston. They flew in a prop plane out of Billy Bishop. It was winter and it was during a snowstorm. She said the whole trip was turbulent and she prayed the rosary the whole time. She said she only relaxed when she saw the pilot’s white knuckles release the plane and his shoulders relax when they landed back in Toronto.

We are all so proud of how hard working and dedicated our mom was. She was a gifted nurse and caring for others was part of her nature. She made great friends in her nursing days and we know that she made a difference in the lives of others.

Mary, Cheryl, Liz and I sat with mom Monday evening and had a really nice time reminiscing and talking. We talked about what stood out most about mom to each of us.

Mary mentioned courage - courage to meet the challenges of her life: coming to a new country, raising a young family, moving forward after dad died, and dealing with multiple health issues along the way. She taught her through example to strive to always do your best and to look for the silver lining in any situation. Mom put her faith into action and was generous and kind. She taught us to always accept people for who they are and to face the challenges that life brings with courage.

Cheryl mentioned that, as children mom was - comfort, love and safety - she made you feel good - just getting a back rub from mom made things right. Mom was a baby whisperer. When mom had her grandchildren in her arms - you never had to worry about them being cared for or loved. She was always the first call when one of them was sick and always had an answer to help. Mom had difficult Mobility issues, but made the effort to connect with all of her family, especially her grandkids. She would literally get down with the kids and play, even though it was not easy for her.

Liz - mentioned mom’s humour. Mom had no problem laughing at herself. She had the ability to laugh and be optimistic in the face of all the physical challenges she had. Mom had a bad car accident when she was younger which gave her chronic back pain, she had arthritis throughout her body, she was partially blind and no matter how much pain mom was in, you could never tell. She always had a smile on her face and put you first.

Liz remembered mom trying to take the Milton Transit , even when she was blind as a bat and had to trust the driver to tell her where she was to get off. She tried going to the senior’s activity Centre once, but wouldn’t go back because all those people were too old!

For me - aside from her Khati recipe and her chicken curry and yellow rice, I remember mom’s stories. Her life was like a movie. A toy train in the Himalayas, her almost dying during a monsoon , and a rickshaw driver flying up in the air when she and aunty Marjorie jumped in the back. There are too many wonderful and funny memories of my mom to mention.

Mom loved to laugh, loved to have mischievous fun, loved dancing and she loved Baileys.

As her children, we talked about how wonderful mom was, however, it is time to keep it real, mom was a wonderful woman, however, she was not always a saint.

Mom had a talent for giving back handed compliments - like, Oh you had your hair done, did you mean to cut it that way?

And although most of you know her as the quiet peaceful little Hazel, aunty Hazel or little nana - the woman was a powder keg. You did not want to get her angry, just ask Matthew who she threatened with busting his teeth with her cane if he kept being rude! Matthew now has that cane.

Mom and dad loved parties and were always up for Anglo Indian dances. I don’t think they were ever home for new years eve when we were kids. They were always at a dance.

I have a vivid memory of mom and dad’s 25th anniversary party in our basement on Alicewood. I was running down stairs to get a Pop Shoppe drink from the laundry room sink. I stopped on the landing at the bottom of the stairs and saw mom and dad line dancing down the floor. It wasn’t country line dancing, it was more of a cool jive style line dance. I thought, wow , my mom and dad are cool!

My mom was a very Faithful person and instilled this in all of us. She prayed the rosary every morning and we always attended mass as a family. When my mom could no longer go to church because of health issues, she watched the mass every morning. It is this devotion that has blessed all of our lives and defines who my mom was.

Over the last couple of weeks - We all took turns staying with mom in the hospital. When I stayed with her she still wanted to make sure everyone was looked after, She would run through the list - Mary, Cheryl and Liz. Every grandchild and great grandchild and our spouses. - She told me, “Make sure you look after each other”

In the hospital, I think mom knew it was her time - she told me “it was a hard life, but it was a good life”

I know mom is at peace, without pain and with Jesus in heaven. I also know that dad has welcomed her into his arms and soon enough they will be dancing … in a cool jive kind of way.

We all love you mom, rest in peace.