Hazel Topoleski

Hazel LaVerne Topoleski, 77, beloved mother, sister, aunt, teacher and neighbor, went to be with the Lord Dec. 29, 2023.

She was born June 9, 1946, to William Gardner “Bill” Goodspeed and Hazel LaVerne Lindsey Goodspeed in San Antonio and thrived as the only daughter among seven children. She developed a life-long love of animals as her childhood home on the South Side hosted dogs, cats, guinea pigs, racing pigeons and at various times alligators, opossums, raccoons, foxes, ring-tailed cats, fish, lizards, snakes, turtles, ducks, chickens, cows, a donkey, a Shetland pony and birds of prey the children rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

Hazel graduated from McCollum High School in 1964 and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Trinity University. She shared her passion for animals and nature with her students at Carroll Bell Elementary School across the street from her childhood home. She received numerous awards for her teaching ability. After her retirement from teaching, she worked as a technology specialist for the San Antonio Independent School District.

She married Robert Howard “Bob” Topoleski July 26, 1982. They were among the original residents of the Village Northwest subdivision in San Antonio where Hazel developed many close friendships with her neighbors.

She enjoyed gardening and maintained a striking landscape year-round. She attracted and fed wild birds in the backyard. Inside, she enjoyed playing with her lovebird Ike and rescue cockatiel Bobo. She trained Ike to fly to trapeze perches strung about the house.

She also trained her adored Jack Russell terrier, Mokie, who could eat politely at the dinner table and enthusiastically pose in holiday costumes.

Retirement allowed Hazel time to further develop her creativity in digital photography and computer graphics. Her photographs of flowers won numerous online photo contests. She created beautiful tributes on Facebook for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. She kept her Facebook followers, including devoted nieces and nephews, engaged with daily illustrated memes commemorating National Pickle Day or some otherwise obscure designation

As ringmaster of the Goodspeed family, Hazel hosted holiday gatherings for many years and was devoted to the care of her mother, who lived to be 94.

In addition to the death of her husband in 2013, Hazel suffered another devastating loss in late 2022 when her only child, daughter Laura Young Wolek, died of cancer.

Hazel also was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers William Gardner Goodspeed Jr., Woodie Denson Goodspeed and Terrell James Goodspeed.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Mark Wolek; stepchildren and spouses Tanya and Mark Thompson, Robyn and Jon Waite, Rodney Topoleski, and Robert T. Topoleski; step-grandchildren and spouses Hilary Waite, Hanna Waite, Ky Topoleski and Felisha Banuelos, Brooke Topoleski and Ethan Leach, and Hunter Topoleski; and five step-great grandchildren.

Other survivors are her brothers and spouses, Rush and Helen Goodspeed, Kenneth Goodspeed, and John Goodspeed and Marianne Odom; nieces and nephews and spouses Rush Jr. and Kara Goodspeed, Richard Goodspeed, Karen Doebbler and Allen King, Melissa (Graham) Goodspeed, Douglas and Ashli Goodspeed, Lisa Banta, Jennifer Goodspeed-Fisher and Donnie Fisher, Kate Goodspeed, and Zane and Mandy Goodspeed; 10 great-nieces and great-nephews and three great-great-nieces.

She also is survived by family friend Don McFarland, who was her devoted companion, caretaker and confidante.

A memorial will be Jan. 20 at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Ave., San Antonio.

The family will gather for a private event at 4 p.m. A public viewing will be at 6 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Sanford Williams officiating.