Hazel Rosetta Wright

Hazel Rosetta Wright died peacefully with family by her side in Tucson, Arizona on May 12, 2014. Hazel was born on August 31, 1920 to the late Alvin and Emma Richardson of White, South Dakota. She was one of 8 children and grew up in South Dakota. Hazel married Lester “Jerry” Wright and they lived their married life in Brookings, S.D. and areas of Minnesota until 1962, when they then moved to Tucson. Hazel was active in Sweet Adeline’s for several years in the Tucson area and she was also an active member of Desert Foothills Baptist Church and the Bethel Baptist Church. She loved music and loved to sing and she was always ready for a game of Scrabble or Farkel in her senior years. Hazel had a small day care in her home for several years and cared for many children in the Tucson area. This is when she also became known as “Grandma Hazel” to many children. Hazel is survived by her 7 children; Rosetta (Arlen) Wentzel of Bozeman, MT., Donna (Roger) Shelton of Tucson, AZ., Cheri (Ed) Gallick of Tucson, AZ., Allan Wright of Kent, WA., Wendy (Bob) Smith of Holbrook, AZ., Ira (Lisa) Wright of Phoenix, AZ. and Jody “Rick” Wright of Scottsdale, AZ.; 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren as well as a sister-in-law, Altha Touzinsky of Placentia, CA. and numerous nieces and nephews in Arizona, South Dakota, Minnesota and California areas. She was preceded in death by her late husband Lester “Jerry” Wright, parents Alvin & Emma, 7 siblings and her grandson, Travis Smith. Hazel’s entire family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Marla and her staff at Desert Steppes Adult Care and to Hospice Family Care for their care and devotion of their beloved mother.