HAZEL LILLIUS GRACE MACLEOD (nee KJARTANSON) (KJARTANSON)

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HAZEL LILLIUS GRACE MACLEOD
(nee KJARTANSON)

Hazel Lillius Grace MacLeod passed peacefully away as per her wishes, Friday, December 20, 2019, in the Betel Home, Gimli, Manitoba, where she and her husband, Malcolm have lived for the past three years.
Hazel was born on June 5, 1928, on the Kjartanson farm near Lake Manitoba. She was raised in a large Icelandic family with a strong work ethic. Hazel and her nine siblings always were expected to pitch in by helping their mom and dad in their various entrepreneurial businesses.
Hazel was always a good student and athlete graduating from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. She met the love of her life, Malcolm, at a teen canteen dance and they were destined to be together. They achieved 73 years of marriage. Hazel was a talented person.
She had a successful career with Manitoba Health as a computer programmer/systems analyst. She and three other programmers, after extensive training, went on to develop the systems and wrote all the programs for the computer processing for Manitoba Health. Hazel loved the challenge and was sent on a four year Public Administration Certificate Course when she was asked to be the Supervisor. She was a memorable boss to her staff, always encouraging and expecting only the best. Due to her reputation she was asked to teach a credit course at University of Manitoba called Computer Based Systems and was known as "Professor Macleod".
Hazel and Mac moved to Winnipeg Beach, retiring at age 55 years, and purchasing "the farm" where they and their growing family enjoyed many special times. They loved working outside and Hazel especially loved her gardens, picking berries and eating and sharing the fruits of their labours. They became active participants in both the Gimli Lutheran Church and Hazel in the Gimli Women's Institute. She spearheaded the development of x-country ski trails and the Sunken Gardens at Camp Morton.
Mom was always busy and her many talents included sewing countless garments for herself as well as her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as countless home craft projects. She painted over 225 oil paintings, many of which she sold and gifted, and was an avid member of the Gimli Art Club. She curled and golfed in competitive lady's teams. Mom was an excellent bridge player, the game she enjoyed wherever she was. Sitting around the table with Grandma for all of us was fun and spontaneous.
If there were only one thing to remember about Hazel, besides all her many attributes, it would be her uncanny ability to give attention and make people feel special.
Special thanks to all her wonderfully generous and kind caregivers, both from Home Care while living in Rotary Towers, and at Betel.
Hazel is survived by her sister Vivian Stunden; and countless nieces and nephews. Her legacy are her children, Karen Mueller (Fred), Kristen Booth (Donald); four grandchildren, Christopher (Suselle), Andrea (Giulio), Alana (Imants) and Jamie (Carmen): and nine great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service along with her husband Malcolm was held Sunday, December 22, at the Gimli Lutheran Church.
The family would also like to thank all the many loving friends and volunteers who gave of their time so willingly to make Mom's life more full.
To honour Hazel, please consider a donation to the Parkinson's Society.
A talented and gracious lady always! She will be sorely and deeply missed by all the family and any whom she knew.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 28, 2019