Hazel Laura Louise Magistrelli (nee Raasch), 99, of Lynn, Mass., was taken to her heavenly home on Nov. 29 at Hill House Assisted Living in Bath.
Born on Aug. 23, 1919 in Milwaukee, Wis., daughter of Otto and Frieda Raasch, Hazel was in her 100th year.
She grew up in Hales Corners, Wis. and was a member of Hales Corners Lutheran Church until 1963 when she and her husband John moved to Boston, Mass. They were members of First Lutheran Church for 45 years, during which time Hazel served as treasurer for several years. She later joined Clifton Lutheran Church in Marblehead, Mass.
Hazel had a strong faith in God. She was fearless and strong and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her family was very important to her and she made sure all of her grandchildren and their children knew her and John, even when separated by more than 1,000 miles. She and John were adventurers and explorers, traveling whenever they could, whether on back roads in New Hampshire or Canada or to Europe or Asia.
Hazel also enjoyed baking, sewing, crocheting, gardening, and reading. She even had her own business making aprons when her children were growing up in Wisconsin. She spent many years sewing high-end pillows from Marimekko material for a specialty store in Harvard Square, Cambridge. People she worked with often brought her clothing for her to alter for them.
In addition to her devotion to her family, she worked for many years as a bookkeeper, both in Wisconsin when her children were at school, and then after she moved to Boston. For many years she worked in the pharmacology department at Harvard Medical School, and then at the Harvard Institute for International Development, keeping their financial records and doing their grants tracking. She continued managing her own finances at age 97.
After living in Cambridge, Mass. for nearly 20 years, Hazel and John moved to Lynn, Mass. for another 20 years. Second daughter, Bonnie, moved from Wisconsin to Massachusetts to help care for John when he became ill and then cared for Hazel.
Around 2008, Hazel moved to Damariscotta to live with her third daughter, Connie. It was a special privilege to Connie to have Hazel living with her and they enjoyed making many special memories. Hazel especially enjoyed exploring the coast of Maine and visiting Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. She was quite impressed with all of the community events in Damariscotta, especially Pumpkinfest.
Hazel was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, John G., in 2003; sister, Eunice Hess; and granddaughter, Kija Koplien.
Hazel is survived by her children, Sandra (Ken) Hammel, Bonnie Magistrelli, Constance Magistrelli, and J. David (Diana) Magistrelli; grandchildren, Debbie (Al) Emmons, Bob (Jennifer) Hammel, Bill (Suzy) Hammel, Cory (Kelly) Klumb, Denise (Jim) Oehmke, Brian Lueck, Mike (Lisa) Magistrelli, Rob Feld, and Joshua Magistrelli; great-grandchildren, Samantha Emmons, Zack Emmons, Kaitlyn Emmons, Nate Hammel, Nick Hammel, Lucas Hammel, Liam Hammel, Mandi Magistrelli, Nate Koplien, Kristina Koplien, JJ Oehmke, Anna Oehmke, Paige Magistrelli, Brooke Magistrelli, Matthew Magistrelli, Grace Magistrelli, and Piper Klumb; and great-great-grandchildren, Leon Koplien, and Michael Koplien.
Visitation and funeral services were held on Dec. 10 at Krause Funeral Home in New Berlin, Wis. The service was presided over by Pastor Douglas Schroeder of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Greendale, Wis. Interment was Dec. 11 at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, Wis. A memorial service of celebration was held Jan. 26 at Clifton Lutheran Church in Marblehead, Mass., with Pastor James Bixby presiding.
