Hazel Romanick

Hazel Smith Romanick- Born October 29,1925 passed away September 5, 2024. Hazel was the daughter of Elbert and Edna Smith. She grew up in Prichard, Alabama in a family with 7 siblings. Because of such a large family her sisters were her best friends all through her life. In fact she was with her sister Catherine when she met her future husband on the downtown Mobile streets. Her children often teased that she “picked him up” on the street corner. He in fact was in town for his Naval ship to be repaired at the Alabama Dry Docks in 1944. Leo J. Romanick would become her husband for 37 years before he passed away. They enjoyed a full life keeping up with 4 children. Hazel was one of the last of that generation who enjoyed being a “housewife”, staying home to keep her home immaculate, hot meals on the table every night and making clothes for her two daughters. They were members of St. Pius X Catholic Church for almost 60 years. Two of their children attended St. Pius X school. She often was called on by the Sisters at St. Joseph School, where her two older children attended, to make things for the annual bazaar. She was often seen working the concession stand at the baseball games her son played in and also was a room mother. She served as the President of the Ladies of Columbus Auxiliary of Council 666. After Leo died she became a volunteer at Springhill Memorial Hospital alongside of her two sisters and served there for many years. After selling her home, she enjoyed her last two years living at Somerby where she was compassionately and lovingly cared for by a wonderful staff.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Romanick, daughter Denise Romanick Hays, daughter in law Denise Klein Romanick and son in law Bill Orrell. She is survived by two sons, Paul (Kay) Romanick of Stockton, Leo (Amy) Romanick of Birmingham and daughter, Theresa Orrell of Mobile; 10 grandchildren, Shane Romanick, Tracy (Mark) McDonald, Bill (Lori) Orrell, Mary (Brad) Smith, Brittany (Ron) Smith, Brantley Romanick, Carrington Romanick, Heather (Michael) Downey, Jennifer Hays, Michelle Hays; great grandchildren, Blake and Haley McDonald, Meghan and Madison Romanick, William and Henry Orrell, Bradley, McKenzie Conyer and Colton Smith, Edward, Charlie and Philip Smith, and other relatives.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Elbert and Edna Smith, siblings, Ernest and Clifford Smith, Catherine Spencer, and Vivian Cottongim. She is survived by brothers, Willie (Buddy) Smith, Richard (Fredna) Smith and sister Gloria Liggett. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 with visitation at 10:00, rosary at 10:30 and Funeral mass at 11:00 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. Interment will be at Pine Crest Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Mom’s special helpers at Somerby, Ingrid, Mona and Vera as well as all the wonderful staff. We especially thank her hospice nurse Vickie and Aveanna Hospice Care for their excellent and compassionate care during these final weeks