Hazel Hommel Fairbrother, the Lady of the Lavender House has died, marking the end of an era on Friday, June 22,2012.
Hazel Hommel Fairbrother, middle child of 14 children of Martin and Angeline Hommel, was the last survivor of her family of origin.She was 98 years old.
She is survived by her daughter, Angelyn Redstone,granddaughter, Daria Jolan Davis, and grandson,
Sebastian Roland Grubb. Multiple generations of nieces and nephews in New York, Pennsylvania,Massachusetts, California,and Colorado hold "Aunt Hazel" in high esteem and have brought joy to her life.
Survivors also include stepchildren, Jean Dolan andRobert Fairbrother; daughter-in-law, Rose Fairbrother.
She was predecesed by her son, Allen Hommel Johnson,and infant daughter, Frances Hommel Johnson; husband, Darwin Allen Johnson;husband, Raymond Charles Fairbrother; and stepson, and Jack Fairbrother.
Hazel, gifted with a memory beyond human imagination and capacity, served as the family historian and raconteur, commanding raptattention, at family gatherings or from her circle of good friends who visited her over the years.
The first person in her family to graduate from high school, she gleefully recounted stories of her ability to out-race her classmates (boys included), shinny up a rope, difficulty understanding French,although her accent and pronunciation were impeccable. She could talk the talk.
Garnering numerous prizes and recognition as a powerful public speaker, she was especially proud of beating out Uncle Walter in the Union County competition. Mother smoked her first cigarette at the famous, or perhaps infamous, covered bridge at age 16,the day of her high school graduation. She continued this pastime well into her nineties and quit cold turkey because, "Oh, I just got tired ofit."
Keeping a beautiful and immaculate home, being well organized, painting every square surface in need of a face lift with outrageous colors, energetic queen of roasting peanuts and jelly making, lover of a heartyserving of spaghetti and meatballs, she was an outspoken and loyal fan of the local quirky TV meteorologist, of Johnny Carson, as well as of other late nightshow hosts.
An avid reader of history, biography, and several newspapers, Hazel kept herself well informed. Passionate advocate of human and civil rights, Hazel dedicated her efforts to make a just and better life for herself and those in her world, especially the underdogs among us.
We raise a toast in your honor (scotch, of course).Peace, love, and last hurrah to you, my colorful mother, the original article.
A simple graveside service will take place at 11 a.m.Monday in Hilltop Cemetery, Mifflinburg,the town where mother was born and raised. in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,officiated by Adamo Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hazel H. FairbrotherE�s name may bemade to: The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Education Fund, 1629 KStreet NW, 10th floor, Washington, D.C. 20006; or Axis Dance Company, 1428Alice St., Suite 200, Oakland , CA 94612 (axisdance.org); Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hazel Hommel Fairbrother, please visit our flower store.
Hazel Hommel Fairbrother, middle child of 14 children of Martin and Angeline Hommel, was the last survivor of her family of origin.She was 98 years old.
She is survived by her daughter, Angelyn Redstone,granddaughter, Daria Jolan Davis, and grandson,
Sebastian Roland Grubb. Multiple generations of nieces and nephews in New York, Pennsylvania,Massachusetts, California,and Colorado hold "Aunt Hazel" in high esteem and have brought joy to her life.
Survivors also include stepchildren, Jean Dolan andRobert Fairbrother; daughter-in-law, Rose Fairbrother.
She was predecesed by her son, Allen Hommel Johnson,and infant daughter, Frances Hommel Johnson; husband, Darwin Allen Johnson;husband, Raymond Charles Fairbrother; and stepson, and Jack Fairbrother.
Hazel, gifted with a memory beyond human imagination and capacity, served as the family historian and raconteur, commanding raptattention, at family gatherings or from her circle of good friends who visited her over the years.
The first person in her family to graduate from high school, she gleefully recounted stories of her ability to out-race her classmates (boys included), shinny up a rope, difficulty understanding French,although her accent and pronunciation were impeccable. She could talk the talk.
Garnering numerous prizes and recognition as a powerful public speaker, she was especially proud of beating out Uncle Walter in the Union County competition. Mother smoked her first cigarette at the famous, or perhaps infamous, covered bridge at age 16,the day of her high school graduation. She continued this pastime well into her nineties and quit cold turkey because, "Oh, I just got tired ofit."
Keeping a beautiful and immaculate home, being well organized, painting every square surface in need of a face lift with outrageous colors, energetic queen of roasting peanuts and jelly making, lover of a heartyserving of spaghetti and meatballs, she was an outspoken and loyal fan of the local quirky TV meteorologist, of Johnny Carson, as well as of other late nightshow hosts.
An avid reader of history, biography, and several newspapers, Hazel kept herself well informed. Passionate advocate of human and civil rights, Hazel dedicated her efforts to make a just and better life for herself and those in her world, especially the underdogs among us.
We raise a toast in your honor (scotch, of course).Peace, love, and last hurrah to you, my colorful mother, the original article.
A simple graveside service will take place at 11 a.m.Monday in Hilltop Cemetery, Mifflinburg,the town where mother was born and raised. in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,officiated by Adamo Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hazel H. FairbrotherE�s name may bemade to: The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Education Fund, 1629 KStreet NW, 10th floor, Washington, D.C. 20006; or Axis Dance Company, 1428Alice St., Suite 200, Oakland , CA 94612 (axisdance.org); Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.