Hazel Richardson

Our beloved Hazel was born and raised in East End, Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands of the British West Indies. She met Charley “Connie” Richardson while visiting relatives in the United States. They were married in Kingston, Jamaica.

Hazel enjoyed military life and traveling. She loved meeting people from different places. Their married life first took them to New York, then to Texas, Washington, Ohio, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, California, and Canada. They included a 6,000-mile vacation of the Northwest, Southwest, and Mexico. They settled in Washington where they enjoyed fishing, camping, and other pastimes.

Hazel was devoted to the Lord, to her husband of 57 years, and to their girls, Charlene, Cheryl, and Yvonne. She was always there as a loving confidant, giving godly wisdom, encouragement, and constant prayer support. Connie and Hazel shared all aspects of life together. Over the years, they spent their wedding anniversaries at different places in the U.S., Canada, the Cayman Islands, and Europe. They shared a lifetime of plans, confidences, and laughs- going to lunch, going fishing and crabbing, and they were only ready to watch Wheel of Fortune when they could watch it together.

Our Hazel was also a motivated, determined person who sought to better her life and the lives of others. She dreamed of working in the medical profession, so went back to school and got a job at what was then Stevens Memorial Hospital. For 17 years, she worked in Emergency from 11 pm to 7 am.

She thrived on helping and encouraging others. For years, many children were comforted when they came into Emergency by receiving a finger puppet she had sewn. Her hands were always busy. She liked to sew, and made most of the girls’ clothes when they were young. She especially loved to crochet, often creating patterns herself or collaborating with Connie to transform designs he had drawn into crocheted items. For years, she sold these hand-made items at Christmas bazaars.

Doing crossword puzzles was another pastime she enjoyed, and it was a feat to ever beat her at playing Scrabble. She also bowled on a league for many years, collecting several trophies along the way. Wherever she went, she connected with people and made lasting friendships.

She was known for her strong faith in God and her daily reliance on His plan for her life and the lives of her loved ones. She was also known for her generosity- embracing people with her time, money, attention, and affection. Her prayers, her acceptance, and her devotion will be greatly missed.

We love you always, Hazel, and look forward to the day when we will be with you again. Thank you for wrapping your love around us.