Hazel Sylvia Braeuer (nee Johnson) passed away on Saturday, February 1st, 2020, surrounded by her family, in Surrey BC.
Hazel was born in Vancouver on December 4th, 1951 to Herman and Fjola Johnson (nee Dalman) originally of Lundar, Manitoba. She grew up in East Vancouver; anyone who met her knew Trinity Street as an anchor point for her. Her childhood summers were often spent in Lundar, Manitoba, helping on the family farm and cementing a connection to her family there. After graduating from Templeton High School in 1969, Hazel followed her passion for science and became a lab technician. Realizing she needed a job where she got to be part of a team, Hazel returned to BCIT to become a nurse. During her practicums she fell in love with the operating room and worked as a registered nurse in the OR for 37 years. She was a fierce and passionate advocate for her patients and a skilled nurse. In 1985, Hazel met Wolfgang at the Þorrablót. After a fateful phone call, the two were married in 1987, and their daughter Rachel was born in 1988. While the two only had the one daughter, Hazel “adopted” most of her daughter’s friends and partners.
Hazel was a beloved mother (to many!) and wife. She was a friend for life to everyone she met. A modern-day Snow White, animals all over the lower mainland are missing Hazel’s love and perpetual stash of pocket treats. Hazel is survived by her daughter and husband and predeceased by her parents.
A memorial will be held on March 20th, 2020 at the Scandinavian Centre in Burnaby, 6540 Thomas Street from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia.