PALMER, Hazel (nee Bates)
Passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2009 in Yakima, Washington in her 98th year. She is predeceased by her parents, William and Martha Bates of Matsqui, 2 sisters, Edna Smith, Vancouver, B.C. & Freda Threlfall, Matsqui, & brother Stanley Bates, Matsqui. She is survived by 4 nieces, Edith McHugh,Victoria, Phyllis Dekkers, White Rock, Joan Arcand, Kamloops & Maxine Sasynuik, Abbotsford, nephew, Glenn Bates, Abbotsford, sister-in-law Alfrieda Bates, Abbotsford. Following high school Hazel went into Nurses training at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1937. Following graduation she worked in Bella Bella, Kelowna, Banff, Chilliwack & at Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver. Following this she decided to work in the United States for a couple of years. She fell in love with the people of Yakima, Washington and surrounding hills of that area and lived the remaining years of her life there. In 1967 she married Lawrence Palmer. She and Lawrence (now deceased) enjoyed many years of traveling with their RV club. In 1969 they had the privilege of attending the International Lion's Convention in Tokyo, Japan. Hazel thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, photography, gardening, camping & hiking. She loved handiwork and won awards for her tatting. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. a memorial service to celebrate her life was held at Englewood Christian Church on August 17th, 2009.