Hazel Marguerite Fraser (nee Stevens)
Mom was the third child born to Fred and Zelma Stevens, and the only daughter. The family was living in Winnipeg when she was born, on January 11, 1922, but moved to Sidney a few years later. She attended school in Roseisle and La Riviere, Manitoba, and completed high school in Pilot Mound (where she met her future husband, Murray Fraser).
After high school Mom moved to Winnipeg to attend Success Business College. She lived with her mother and young brother Wes in a roomy downtown apartment until her marriage. She enjoyed her work and spoke fondly of her years with Dale & Company Insurance.
Myrna re-enacts Mom's 1946 photo with her colleagues.
Dale & Co. offices were in the Union Trust Building, Lombard Avenue at Main Street.
It would have been a 2.7 km walk to Mom's apartment.
Dale & Co. offices were in the Union Trust Building, Lombard Avenue at Main Street.
It would have been a 2.7 km walk to Mom's apartment.
Murray Fraser and Hazel Stevens rekindled their high school friendship while Murray was in Winnipeg studying pre-war, and following his RCAF service in 1946. They married on July 9, 1949 and moved into a tiny house at 230 Parkhill Street, where their only son was born in 1951.
In 1952, the young couple moved to a larger home on the western edge of Winnipeg, and filled it with four more children, all daughters. They remained in St. Charles until 1982, when they moved into a smaller retirement home in St. James, at 137 Bourkevale Boulevard.
Hazel was the first of her siblings to pass away, a few days after suffering a stroke on Thanksgiving Day in 1989. She was 67.
Murray remained very active for several more years, and passed away in his suite at the Sturgeon Creek Retirement Residence in 2013. He was 93.
Hazel Marguerite Stevens
born: January 11, 1922, Winnipeg, Manitoba
died: October 12, 1989, Winnipeg, Manitoba
married: July 9, 1949, Winnipeg, Manitoba
to: Murray Reid Fraser, Pilot Mound, Manitoba
(b. May 31 1919, d. April 20, 2013)
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ALBUM: Hazel Marguerite (Stevens) Fraser
Zelma Stevens and her daughter Hazel
Zelma Stevens and Hazel. Judging by Mom's age, this may be at the Sidney, Manitoba brickyard.
Hazel with Jean Goulding
Hazel, summer of 1924
Hazel (at left) with a wounded rabbit. Maybe it was shot by her brother Ed, at right.
Hazel looking after younger brother Ernie (b. 1924)
Hazel tends to two-week-old Ernie.
Hazel, right, with Mary McElrea
Hazel with a very patient cat, friend Mary and brother Albert
Hazel, age 14 (1936)
Hazel (right) with high school friend Peal Appelrey, Pilot Mound, 1938
Hazel (second from left, back row) with Grade 12 class, Pilot Mound, 1938-39
Grade 12 class, Pilot Mound, 1938-39
Pilot Mound teachers L-R: A. Dobie, A Vopnfjord, J. Fraser
Hazel at Portage la Prairie park with Frank Richards (L) and Wilfred Stickley (R)
Hazel with the Lula and Milton Waddell, Portage la Prairie park, 1938
Lula Waddell with Hazel, Carman, Manitoba
Playing catch at the Waddell home, Carman, Manitoba
Hazel with her niece Marlene (Charlie's daughter), shopping in Winnipeg
From the 1943 Henderson's Directory. The Davidson Block was a long, low apartment building, stretching from 326 to 338 Young Street. Hazel lived in Suite 1 with her mother Zelma and her young brother Wes. I suspect she's the one on the lease (and paid the rent).
Hazel in the Young Street apartment
Advertisement in the Winnipeg Free Press, August 12, 1939
Mom's certificate from Success Business College, dated September 30, 1940.
Hazel (right) with Gwen Mitchell, upper deck of SS Keenora, August 1942
Hazel at Matheson Island, 1942
Hazel (back left) with other passengers on the SS Keenora, August 1942
Hazel (back left) with other passengers on the SS Keenora, August 1942
Hazel with brother Ernie, 1942
Assiniboine Park Conservatory, 1942
L-R: Maryl Garwood, Edmund, Zelma, Hazel
Hazel in Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Fall 1942
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| Henderson Directory ad, 1943. A 1941 ad lists the office on the fourth floor, but that may have been a change in floor numbering, rather than a physical move. Today there is no second floor listed in their directory; it is a mezzanine / mechanical space. |
at Dale & Company Insurance, 1946
Hazel (centre) with colleagues from Dale & Co. Insurance
On July 9, 1949 Hazel Stevens married Murray Fraser
Mrs. Hazel Fraser
Murray and Hazel Fraser bought 400 St. Charles Street in 1952.
OBITUARIES
Murray Reid Fraser, 1919-2013
http://frasertrunk.blogspot.ca/2013/04/we-lost-good-man-today.html
Hazel Marguerite Fraser (nee Stevens), 1922-1989
Peacefully after a short illness, on Thursday, October 12, 1989 at the Grace General Hospital, Mrs. Hazel Fraser, dearly beloved wife of Murray Reid Fraser, of 137 Bourkevale Drive, Winnipeg.
Mom was born on January 11, 1922 in West Kildonan, Man. and spent her childhood in several small towns in southwestern Manitoba, including La Riviere, Sidney and Roseisle. Completing high school at age 16, she moved to Winnipeg and continued her education at Success Business College. She enjoyed a rewarding career and spoke fondly of her years with Dale & Company.
She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her husband of 40 years, Murray; one son and four daughters and their extended families.
Also left to mourn are five brothers, Edmund and wife Phyllis of Carpenteria, Calif., Charlie and wife Gertie of Carman, Man.; Albert and wife Grace of Waterdown, Ont., Ernie and wife Bertha of Virden, Man., Wes and wife Dorothy of Regina, Sask.; numerous nephews, nieces and their families; friends and neighbours.
Mom took great pride in raising a happy family and was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. "Po Po" will be sadly missed. Her influence and example will serve us well.
The family would like to thank Dr. Theresa Cavett, Dr. Chris Bourque and the staff of the 2nd Floor of the Grace General Hospital for their care and concern.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held on Monday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m. at Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel, 1858 Portage Ave., (888-7977), with Rev. Ewing W. Rae officiating.
Flowers gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.
June 2013. Hazel and Murray return to Pilot Mound.
