Hazel Dorothy Voinier of Oak Ridge peacefully went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was 73.
Born May 1, 1949, in Swansea South Wales, U.K., she was the daughter of the late John and Marjorie (nee Birchenough) Yuille.
After moving to Canada in 1953, her family immigrated to Washington Township, N.J. in 1962.
She graduated from Westwood High School in 1968. During her senior year, she met Rick, the love of her life.
After living in Michigan and Kentucky with her parents, she returned to New Jersey and married Rick on April 30, 1972. They lived in New Milford before settling in Oak Ridge in 1976. There they started their family and raised three daughters.
Hazel loved gardening and took much pride in creating a yard full of beauty that even strangers would stop by to pay her compliments.
She loved the holidays and decorated for every one, whether big or small, transforming every room in her house into a magical holiday masterpiece.
Hazel loved working with children and will be affectionately remembered by the many families of the After Baby Comes social group at St. Thomas Catholic Church and the nursery at the Milton United Methodist Church as “Miss Hazel” where she lovingly provided child care.
She will be fondly remembered by neighbors, family and friends picturing her many collections that she gathered over the years, including mushrooms, strawberries, chickens and, of course, her sets of jewelry to match every outfit.
Many have shared wonderful memories about Hazel’s participation in schools, Girl Scouts and the family’s membership at Holy Faith Lutheran Church. All of these cherished stories will keep her legacy strong and alive within us all.
Hazel is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Rick Voinier; her three daughters, Chantel (Andy) Kielty, Liana (Ken) McFadden and Merrick (Jonathan) Cop; and six grandchildren, Zachary and Chase Kielty, Sam and Celia McFadden, and Grayson and Montgomery Cop. Also surviving Hazel are her sisters, Gillian (Phillip) Vozzella and Sheila (Jimmy) Clay, and many nieces and nephews.
In this sad time, as the family relishes in the blessings they were given to have been part of Hazel’s life, they will honor her wishes to not have a visitation or funeral. There will be a remembrance ceremony in the spring as the flowers in her garden start to bloom. Friends and family will gather to remember Hazel and appreciate how lucky they were to have had such an incredible wife, mother, grammy and friend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://lmsdr.app.neoncrm.com/campaign.jsp?campaign=3&fundraiser=619&https://giving.mskcc.org/givehttps://www.alivingtribute.org/
Her family thanks you for all of your love and encouragement throughout Hazel’s fight and truly appreciate your continued support for others fighting the same battle as we honor her memory. Praying we find a cure one day!