VAN BUREN – Hazel D. Gagnon, 91, died May 11, 2006, at a Van Buren healthcare facility. She was born Jan. 23, 1915, in Van Buren, the daughter of Luke M. and Elizabeth J. (Findlay) Dart. Hazel was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Aroostook State Normal School in Presque Isle. She taught in Van Buren schools for many years and also worked at the former Van Buren Trust Company and Northern National Bank. She was a former member of the Van Buren Hospital Auxiliary, St. Martha’s Guild and the Daughters of Isabella. She will be remembered for her very soft voice, quick wit, ready laugh, wonderful doughnuts, willingness to try most things, and her interest in the stock market. Her grandchildren remember her as the “card shark.” She loved to play cards and “Dame de Pique” was her favorite game. Hazel’s piece in the history of Van Buren came from the days of the Great Depression. At that time, to stem the run on the nation’s banks, the President of the United States had ordered all the banks closed and in Van Buren, that duty fell to Hazel – she was the last one out and the one who locked the doors of the Van Buren Trust. She is survived by three daughters, Margot Parent of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Kay Richmond and her husband, Deane, of Machias, and Judy Selle and her husband, Bart, of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; six grandchildren, Faith Hendrickson, Jill Ammor, Sarah Richmond, Ben Richmond, Hillary Selle Gramlich, and Alison Selle; two great-grandchildren, Kaitlin and James Hendrickson. Hazel was predeceased by her husband, Gerald B. Gagnon in 1987. Relatives and friends may call at the Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren from 7-9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. until time of service on Tuesday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church. Committal service and interment will be in the parish cemetery. Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the Abel J. Morneault Memorial Library, Main Street, Van Buren, ME 04785 or the St. Bruno-St. Remi Memorial Fund, 180 Main Street, Van Buren, ME 04785.
HAZEL D. GAGNON
