Born at home on March 3, 1921 on Section 31, Township 5, Range 25, W2nd, Hazel’s
birthplace was later known as Una, Saskatchewan. She was the third child born to
Henry Oscar Stromme and Marie Louise Eliza Desjardins.
In her late teens and early twenties. Hazel’s jobs were wide and varied. From nanny to
waitress to working in the Fleet Aircraft Factory at the beginning of World War II she
was never afraid to try something new.
In 1946 Hazel met John “Jack” Armstrong while working in Regina Saskatchewan.
From 1947 to 1951 Jack and Hazel travelled between Saskatchewan and British
Columbia where they were employed as cooks in bush camps, for the railway and
the smelter in Trail, BC. In early 1952 Hazel and Jack moved to Port Arthur, Ontario
where their three children Sharon, Craig and Lynda were born.
In February, 1960 Hazel and Jack, along with their three children, loaded what possessions they could into their car and
travelled the winter roads to Quesnel, BC where they began operating Stronune’s Cafe in West Quesnel for a short time.
From 1965 to 1970 Hazel opened her home to school children who lived too far from town to commute each day by bus. In 1975
she began working at Shopper’s Drug Mart as a cosmetician and was employed there until her retirement in 1985.
Hazel was a unique person with many talents. She was a profi cient seamstress and also loved to knit, crochet, garden and read.
She was very active in the Parent Teacher’s Association at Helen Dixon Elementary School, volunteering with fundraising and
the yearly sports day. As if this wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she decided to go to night school and study bookkeeping and
typing. Hazel was also an avid bowler and a member of the Ladies Bowling League for many years.
In 2001 Hazel moved to Williams Lake, BC where she resided until 2004. She then she moved into Bedford Manor in Kamloops,
BC. During her stay at Bedford Manor, Hazel founded and ran the Sunday Afternoon Card Bingo group. She thoroughly
enjoyed shopping for special bingo prizes for the residents. She also helped with Bedford’s regular bingo by putting out
reminders for bingo day, pre-selling bingo cards and handing out bingo dabbers. When not playing bingo. Hazel could be found
playing Thirty-one, Crib, or taking in concerts, special events and dinners with friends and family.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband Jack in 1987, and by brothers Oscar, Harry, Herman, George, Obert and Andre and
sisters Bertha, Olive and Gina. She leaves to mourn, her brother Harvey Stromme of Gusau, Africa, her children Sharon (Lloyd
Stolz) of Williams Lake, Craig (Shannen Rupp) of Quesnel and Lynda (Stewart Miller) of Kamloops, and her much loved
grandchildren Blaine, Trevor, Amy, Alyssa, Jeffrey, Cael and Devyn; and great grandchildren Emily, Nicholas, Amber, Alexia,
Abigail and Carver.
“When I die, give what is left of me to my children. If you need to cry, cry for your brothers walking beside you. Put
your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give me. I want to leave you with something, something
better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people 1 have known and loved. And if you cannot live without me,
then let me live on in your eyes, your mind and your acts of kindness. You can love me most by letting hands touch
hands and letting go of children that need to be free. Love does not die, people do. So when all that is left of me is
love. Give me away. “
The family wish to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Barnard and the ER and 3W nursing staff at Royal Inland Hospital
for taking such wonderful care of Mom. Also to the very special Care Aides in Kamloops that made Mom feel loved, appreciated
and understood... Karen, Maria, Leslie and Coreen.
There will be no service at Hazel’s request. Donations in memoriam may be made to the charity of your choice.