HAZEL E. LAFLAND
ASHLAND---Hazel Emma (Boxwell) Lafland, 89, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2011 at the Gardiner Health Care Facility in Houlton. She was born June 15, 1921 in Ashland, daughter of Albert and Mabel (Kennedy) Boxwell. Hazel lived in Ashland most of her life.
Hazel loved to read and was always up to date on current news and the weather. In her earlier years she helped local farmers cut seed potatoes in the spring and in the fall she could be found picking many barrels of potatoes in the local potato fields. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and picking wild strawberries in the back field. She also loved feeding and watching the wild birds regardless of the season always, making sure they had feed.
Hazel is survived by one son, Larry Lafland and wife, Eileen of Dedham: 17 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 14 great- great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two daughters, Gloria Lewin and Ola Poitraw and one son, LeRoy Farris; three brothers, Hubert, Ervin, and Burton Boxwell; five sisters, Inez McEachern, Mavis Moran, Avis Leclarc, Loena Sutherland, and Merritta Hickman; one grandson, Paul; a granddaughter, Avis, and a great granddaughter Trish. Hazel’s family would like to thank the staff at Gardiner Health Care for their kind and gentle care. They would also like to thank the at home nursing staff, the Meals on Wheels staff, and everyone that made it possible for her to stay at home as long as she did.
A funeral service was held at the Union Congregational Church, Sheridan Road, Ashland, on Friday, April 29 with Pastor Nathan Gardiner officiating. Interment will be held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers those who wish may contribute in her memory to American Cancer Society Relay for Life “Farriswheelers” /MERT Team, American Cancer Society, New England Division c/o Mike Hart, PO Box 1896, Bangor, ME 04402, for which a granddaughter walks each year in the family name.
Condolences may be sent to the Lafland Family, PO Box 733, Holden, ME 04429. Funeral arrangements are a service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland.