Hazel Irene Smith Stockdale

Stockdale, Hazel I., 85, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2014, in St Petersburg, FL. Born in Deep Valley, PA, the daughter of Rex and Ella "Shipman" Smith. She moved from Holbrook, PA to Pinellas Park, FL, in 1956 with her husband and 3 children. Hazel graduated from Waynesburg High School in Waynesburg, PA in 1947 and married her husband, Carl Stockdale, in 1950.

Hazel loved to bake and cook and was happiest when she was making friends and family something to eat or baking wonderful cakes, breads and desserts for anyone who wanted one. She was especially known for baking several varieties of delicious Christmas cookies. You couldn't leave without taking a box to go. Another of Hazel's passions were children, which led to her becoming a foster parent for newborns through the Children's Home Society while her own children were still in elementary school. Hazel's love for cooking and baking brought her to the cafeteria at Dixie Hollins High School where she worked for many years.

Hazel is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Carl Stockdale, and her sisters, Helen and Mardelle.

She is survived by her daughters, Renee Speeler of Clearwater, FL and Neita Mack of Pinellas Park, FL; son, Robert of St. Petersburg, FL; and son-in-law, Doug Speeler; 7 granchildren; Marguerite of Colorado, Mark of St. Petersburg, Doug of Madeira Beach, Krystal of Seminole, Ricky of Indianapolis, Lesley of Venice, FL, and Janet of Pinellas Park;12 great-grandchildren; Pauline of Pittsburgh, PA Michael Paul of Mississippi, Barbie and Lucas of St Petersburg, FL , Jeffrey and Alec of Seminole, FL, Ocean of Madeira Beach, FL, Kristen, Ashley and Lauren of Venice, FL, Christopher and Kevin of Pinellas Park, FL.

Visitation held 4:00pm Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, until service time at 6:00pm. Entombment will be private at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park in Largo, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Suncoast Hospice Foundation.

Funeral arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st St. Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.