Hazel Estelle Lee, 83, of White City, Oregon, passed away at home on June 23, 2020, with her family at her side. She was born to Ernest and Ethel (Smeed) Matthews on February 17, 1937, in Eugene, Oregon. As a girl, Hazel helped her family by picking ferns in the woods around Noti and Veneta where she grew up. She graduated from Elmira Union High School in 1955. In 1957, she married Merle Lee in Eugene. Merle and Hazel moved to southern Oregon in 1965. After living in Medford for a brief time, they bought a house in White City, where they raised their family and have lived for 54 years. Hazel is survived by Merle Lee, her husband of 63 years, and three children: John Lee of Portland; Carol Graeber of Central Point; and Ronald Lee of Milwaukie. She is also survived by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Elijah (Bill) Matthews.
Always a pillar of strength to her family, she worked to help others as well. She was a counselor at Goodwill and later worked for Access. Hazel also worked as a volunteer for many years, delivering meals for Food and Friends.
Hazel had a mischievous sense of humor, which enabled her to laugh about the idiosyncrasies of life. She enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, playing cards (especially pinochle and bridge), and traveling. In 2007 she was able to visit Kent in England, where her family was from. Earlier, she and Merle were able to visit his family relatives in Norway.
Hazel was the heart of her family, loved and cared for by all. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.
Thank you to all the friends and family who were instrumental in making Hazel's last days more comfortable and a special heartfelt thank you to Anna from Hospice, who was with us at the end.
A service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., July 7, 2020, at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon. Space limited to 25 people, masks required. Call or text Carol Graeber to RSVP at 541-890-7812.
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