It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of our mother. Hazel Evelyn Hale passed away at the Dryden Regional Health Centre on April 11 at the age of 82. Hazel was born on Oct. 5, 1927 in Loon Straits on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. She resided in Eagle River, Ontario.
She was predeceased by her husband Stewart in 1979, her parents George and Agnes Gibeault, brother Melvin and sisters Oriel Sutherland, Viola Hale and Elizabeth Hourie.
She is survived by sons Barry (Olga), Matthew (Phyllis), Ralph, Karl (Carman) and daughters Joy (Bill), Marge, Yvonne (Bruce). Surviving grandchildren are Shawn (Debbie) and Jason Attrux, Zachary Hale, Richard Hale (Kristjana), Dylan Hale, Shala Brignall, Aaron, Jesse and Abby Bruce, Nicholas, Kristjana and Andrew Petterson. Great grandchildren are Tim, Joshua, Adam, Colton and Cameron Attrux, Aria and Eagan Hale, and one great- great grandchild Dominic Attrux. Surviving siblings are Marilyn Jager, Langford Gibeault and Gordon Gibeault. She is also survived by many special nieces and nephews.
Hazel was a gentle, loving, kind, quiet and strong mother, grandmother, aunty and friend.
She was a devoted mother and hardworking. She was full of mischief and humour and loved her life by the lake with her family. She remained upbeat and positive throughout her many weeks in the hospital. Her children lovingly cared for her throughout a lengthy illness. Mom was a woman of faith. Her faith and prayer sustained her through many of life’s challenges. She was always hospitable and kind, offering a meal or tea and pie, tarts or bannock to friends. Mom was always busy with baking, meal preparation or yard work, weeding the flowerbed or potted plants on her deck. Her passion was her family and ensuring she took care of feeding her fishermen. It was important to her to have a good meal ready when her fishermen came off the lake. She enjoyed traveling, visiting, attending church, blueberry picking, yard sales, knitting, embroidery, playing games, doing word searches, and shopping at Wal-Mart. Mom was a member of the Eagle River Seniors Club and looked forward to attending their functions regularly. She enjoyed the bus ride with Charlene to the events she attended. Mom loved to travel. She made three trips to Hawaii with her friend Sondy, numerous trips to B.C. and into the United States. She went to Mexico once and saw the Mayan ruins and to Prince Edward Island on the east coast. She loved to travel but her limit was ten days. After ten days it was time to get home and see how her boys were doing. Mom always had to bring a treat home for her “kids”, even after we were adults. She continued to buy for the grandkids, or just leave a “toonie” to go shopping. She was also president of the Eagle River Metis Association for several years. Through her efforts, people in the community received upgrading education, low income housing, and summer playground programs for children. Her ultimate haven was ‘the island’. Spring meant cleaning up the cabins, washing the curtains and windows, scrubbing the outhouse and sweeping up what the mice left behind. The island was her paradise and she enjoyed staying there with family and friends. There was always a fish fry, games, camp fires and fireworks. She felt her greatest accomplishments were her marriage, family, the fishing business ‘Hale Fisheries’ and building a nice home by the lake.
Mom and Dad raised seven children, four entrepreneurial sons, two in the commercial fishing business and two in the forestry business, also two daughters who are teachers and one who is a nurse. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Many friends, nieces and nephews recall with fondness great visits to Hastings (Hale Ranch in B. C.) or the island.
The family would like to thank mom’s dear friend Sondy for staying by her side throughout her stay in the hospital. You have been a true friend, an angel, and we love and appreciate your support to our mother. There have been many family and friends who have phoned and supported her over the last year and she appreciated that so much. The family would like to thank the staff at the Dryden Regional Health Centre, Home Care, Nathalie of the Older Adults Program, doctors M. Cortens and Y. Gagnon for the kind attentive care given to our dear mother.
A celebration of Hazel’s life was held on April 19th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Full Gospel Church in Dryden, ON, with  viewing from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Viewing was held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on April 18th at the Dryden Community Funeral Home.
If friends so desire, donations can be made in the memory of Hazel Hale to the Seniors Friendship Club of Sunset Country, c/o Joyce Barker Box 245, Eagle River, Ontario POV 1SO.

Ranch in B. C.) or the island. The family would like to thank mom’s dear friend Sondy for staying by her side through out her stay in the hospital. You have been a true friend, an angel, and we love and appreciate your support to our mother. There have been many family and friends who have phoned and supported her over the last year and she appreciated that so much. The family would like to thank the staff at the Dryden Regional Health Center, Home Care, Nathalie of the Older Adults Program, doctors M. Cortens and Y. Gagnon for the kind attentive care given to our dear mother. A celebration of Hazel’s life will be held on April 19th, 2010 at 1 :00 p.m. at the Full Gospel Church in Dryden Ont, with an opportunity to view from 12:00 to 1 :00 p.m .. Viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on April 18th at the Dryden Community Funeral Home. If friends so desire donations can be made in the memory of Hazel Hale to the Seniors Friendship Club of Sunset Country c/o Joyce Barker Box 245 Eagle River, Ontario. POV ISO.