Gen: Hazel nee Goatcher Hibbard 100th Birthday (41.html)

Invitation Via Email

Most of the following pictures were included in a small photo album created by Christine nee Cole Ward, daughter of Marion nee Goatcher Cole who was a sister of Hazel Winnifred nee Goatcher Hibbard.
Margaret & Marion Goatcher

Margaret & Marion Goatcher

Doris, Marion, Hazel Goatcher

Doris, Jim & Marion Goatcher

Annie & Marion Goatcher

Marion, Jim, Jessica, Doris(hidden) & Hazel

Sarah Jane & son Philip Goatcher
Marion 4 yrs & sisters

Goatcher family in 1926: (L-R) Back Row: Margaret G, Unknown, Hazel G.;
Front Row: Marion G, Doris G.

A young Sarah Jane Goulton (1853-1946)

Sarah Jane nee Goulton & some descendants

Mother (Sarah Jane nee Goulton Goatcher) & some descendants

Caption by Annie Goatcher 1943
[Photographer Philip Richard Goatcher (1889-1944) ?]

[This High-Quality photo is courtesy of Neville Goulton (b.1952) who recently sent it to David Cole (son of Marion Goatcher & Victor Cole)]
Philip's son, William James (Jim) Goatcher, was probably living far away in Baie Como, Quebec at this time.

Marriage of Hazel Goatcher and Ralph Hibbard

Because Hazel's father, Philip Goatcher died many years before, it was Dr. Philip Pratley who gave Hazel away when she married Ralph Hibbard on 3 November 1951 in Port Huron, , MI, USA. Dr Philip Pratley was a bridge designer and a member of the Church of Christ in Quebec between 1900 and 1950. Hazel's father, Philip Goatcher, was also one of the early evangelists of the Church of Christ in Quebec. These photos are courtesy of the Church of Christ Historical Society.

Hazel Goatcher and Dr. Philip Pratley

Dr. Philip Pratley and the Church of Christ

Hazel (nee Goatcher) and Ralph Hibbard in 1972.

Ralph Hibbard is the man on the right.

The persons in the photo above are:
Left to Right: Doris (nee Goatcher) North, Alex North, Betsy Redmond, Allan Redmond, Hazel (nee Redmond) Hopwood, Ralph Hibbard (probably holding Phyllis Hibbard), The little boy in front of Doris is probably Vernon Hibbard. This photo was taken at the marriage of Hazel (nee Redmond) to John Hopwood.

Obituary - Hazel Winifred nee Goatcher Hibbard (1915-2016)

(To enlarge .....Click it)
Thumb: Hazel Hibbard

Hazel Hibbard

Hazel Winifred Hibbard (Goatcher)
February 5, 1915 ~ February 15, 2016 (age 101)

HIBBARD, HAZEL - At Sunnyside Home in Kitchener on Monday, February 15, 2016, Hazel Winifred (Goatcher) Hibbard passed away at 101 years of age. She was the dear wife of the late Ralph Hibbard (1995) and loving mother of Vern Hibbard (Margaret) of Iron Bridge, Phyllis Hibbard of Peterborough and Murray Hibbard of Cambridge, grandmother of Margaret Ann Sampson (Eli), Wanda Bolhous (Aaron), Connie Joy (Doug), Ashley Hibbard and Amy Hibbard, great-grandmother of Ron, Brad and Jacob Sampson, Luke, Riley and Simon Bolhous, Abi and Liz Joy, sister of Doris North. She is also survived by her special nieces Hazel Hopwood and Betsy Foster and nephew Allan Redmond. Several other nieces and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by parents Philip and Daisy (Sullivan) Goatcher, her sisters Margaret Airth and Marion Cole, her brother Jim Goatcher and daughter in law Rexine. Hazel had been a Sarnia resident from 1951 to 2006. She was a longstanding and a well-loved member of the Church of Christ. Her mission in life was serving and being available to others. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and again on Friday starting at noon. Funeral services will be held at the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St., Sarnia) on Friday, February 19th, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial donations made to
Great Lakes Christian High School or Great Lakes Bible College,
4875 King St., Beamsville, ON. L0R 1B6,
905-563-5374, would be appreciated by the family. Memories and messages of condolence may be sent through www.djrobb.on.ca

Charitable donations may be made to:
Great Lakes Christian High School or Great Lakes Bible College
4875 King St., Beamsville ON L0R 1B6
Tel: 1-905-563-5374
Web: http://glbc.ca

She is buried beside her husband, Ralph HIBBARD (See tombstone in Source2)

Eulogy to Hazel nee Goatcher Hibbard

Alan Redmond, her nephew, gave the following eulogy to his Aunt Hazel at her funeral:

How often have we heard you can't see the forest for the trees? Well to me Aunt Hazel was the forest. Each tree may be outstanding in one memorable way but the forest is made up of all the outstanding trees.

The forest of life is made up great qualities and character. Everyone knew and saw Aunt Hazel differently . Some knew her all of their lives as either a sibling or a parent, grandmother , great grandmother or aunt, some were long time friends . To all she made a deep and lasting impression on our hearts.

The qualities that made Aunt Hazel a forest we're loving kindness, strength and endurance for hard work, the ability to enjoy each moment for what it was. I know Aunt Hazel believed that these were her gifts from God.

Aunt Hazel showed loving kindness to all she met. She showered it on her family as she was raising them. Her sister Dot and family moved in with the Hibbards after Tom passed away. Aunt Hazel showed endurance and kindness. She alway let you know you were loved and endured the work of now having 9 people to cook and care for not to forget the ability to enjoy the moment when 9 people had to share a bathroom. As the wife of an elder of the church Aunt Hazel often cooked meals for Sunday visitors. You were always made to feel welcome .

While some would say Aunt Hazel had a relatively easy life we have to remember that she didn't always have today's technology to make life easier. Before she was married she was "in service" and I don't believe that was easy. Raising a family is never easy and yet she raised a kind and loving family and made it look easy. Keeping up with family and church activities takes time, strength and endurance.

Aunt Haze enjoyed the moments in her life. She enjoyed her family and friends. She enjoyed singing and playing games such as Scrabble. What Aunt Hazel enjoyed most was working for her Lord. As people age and the end of life is near they sometimes focus on the most special times to them. For Aunt Hazel this was when she was teaching Sunday School.

So while some won't see Aunt Hazel as a memorable tree they will see her for the forest. She was a truly remarkable person who loved life for all it was and showed us how to live it with the help of the Lord. Aunt Hazel you left a lasting impression on each of us here today. You made us better just by knowing you. You left the world of hurt and pain only to go to a place of glory. God bless you.