HAZLE B. MORRISON

LINCOLN – After a courageous and vigorous battle with a rare and invasive carcinoma, Hazle B. Morrison met her Lord for eternal rest May 22, 2008, at a Lincoln health care center. Hazle was born May 12, 1914, in Springfield. Her birth parents were Fred and Hannah Cole Martin. Her birth family boasted of 10 children and Hazle was the last living child. At the age of 9, Hazle spent summers at Morgan’s Beach, Enfield, where she lived with the founders of Morgan’s Beach, Harry C. and Marion M. Morgan. At the age of 18 with the consent of her birth parents, she was adopted by the Morgan’s. The three Morgan’s established the renowned Morgan’s Beach of the 1920s into the 1950s. They built cabins, horseshoe pits, a roller rink, 120 bathhouses, and they rent-ed boats and canoes. A wooden water slide was erected and this slide would send swimmers on a most exciting slide into the cool waters of Cold Stream Pond. Paramount News Reels came from Hollywood, Calif., for two summers – filming reels that were shown overseas. Hazle and Helen Laing are shown in the newsreel coming down the slide. Hazle was educated in Springfield and Lincoln schools. In her later years, at Butler, Pa., to a Western Auto School. She also took a graduate course in resort management. Her hobbies were designing clothes and hats for the family that she sewed on a Singer treadle sewing machine. She was famous for her pastries and fried clams, which were a beach favorite. Hazle married Gordon H. Austin, from Haverhill, Mass., in 1933. He was employed as a lifeguard at Morgan’s Beach. From that marriage a daughter, Marion Morgan Morrison, was born. Hazle had Holiday Lane, Enfield, constructed in 1950. Many year-round homes are established there today. She then married Lewis G. Morrison in 1955. They moved from Lincoln and opened a Western Auto Store in Guilford, with John and Marion Morrison. Hazle was an avid hunter and loved to fish. She was a member of Professional Women’s Club of Piscataquis County and Guilford Bowling League. She enjoyed many happy times in Mayfield and at Shin and Cold Stream ponds. She also spent time in Florida and Montana. She was well known for her crocheted potholders, pillows and afghans. She took great pleasure in sharing these with family and friends. At the age of 89, she was blessed to find a long lost cousin, Birdie Cole of Prentiss; each of them thinking the other was deceased. They enjoyed many special happy get-togethers, especially their 90th birthdays! Hazle was honored this past year by Ammadamest Grange of Enfield with a memorial calendar and history pictorial of Morgan’s Beach. Hazle was the matriarch of the Morrison family and we all will have special memories of her love. She lived with dignity and lived a very full and happy life with love and energy to hug her entire family with her protective wings. Her last year of life was difficult, but it was made easier by her family and friends, who did all they could to fill her days with love, happiness and comfort. She was never left alone, day or night and she was a marvel in her spirit to not give up. Her life was enriched by the loving care of her daughter, Marion and Harley Arthers, and many other family members. She received hospice care from Hospice of Eastern Maine and that team allowed her to maintain her dignity and independence throughout her illness, by smoothing the path with tender loving care for her journeys end. She felt the kindness of her special caregivers and volunteers. Their professionalism made her and her family’s life easier. We extend heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Our family chain is broken now, but part of us goes with her. We won’t be able to see her, but she will be with us. We will feel her kiss in the gentle wind; the rain drops in our tears. The sunlight will be our happiness, when we see birds; it will remind us that she was the wind beneath our wings. She will not be out of mind just because she is out of sight. All will be well and nothing is lost. In a brief time of space, we will all be together again. Hazle was the last blood sister to her birth family of Alice, Minnie, Clara, Luther, Donald, Althea, Vergie, Eunice and Fred. She is survived by her daughter, Marion Morrison and devoted friend, Harley Arthers, who were her primary care givers for years. Her devoted grandchildren are Lewis J. Morrison and Helen Beaudey, Richard H. Morrison of Guilford, James M. Morrison of Wells and Nina Thornton and her husband, Dennis Thornton, of Berwick; beloved great-grandchildren are Lewis M.J. Morrison and wife, Amy, of Hermon, Laurie Morrison of Monson, James Morrison and wife, Jamie, of Guilford, Jessica Thurlow and husband, Mike, of Auburn, John Bjork and Amanda of Berwick, Morgan Morrison of Brownville and George Thornton of Berwick; great-great-grandchildren are Jayden Morrison of Guilford, Ayden and Arianna Thurlow of Auburn, Braydan Reier of Monson and Raegan Bjork of Berwick. Hazle is survived by special nieces, nephews and numerous special friends; two previous granddaughters-in-law, Anita and Valerie, who visited her several times offering love and encouragement during her illness. She held me at my birth and welcomed me to Earth and the blessing was returned as I held her in my arms as her spirit returned to God. Per her request, there will be no visiting hours or funeral. A family memorial and remembrance in Hazle’s honor will take place in the summer months. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Health and Counseling Hospice Services, P.O. Box 208, Lincoln, ME 04457. Arrangements in the care of Clay Funeral Home. You may leave a message of condolence to the family at www.clayfuneralhome.com.