71, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed peacefully on November 9, 2015. She was born and raised in Phoenix. Hazel graduated from St. Mary’s Elementary School and High School and was a graduate of Arizona State University (ASU).
Hazel was a retired elementary school teacher. She owned and managed various properties in Phoenix including “The Deuce” at 2nd Street and Jefferson and started the Jackrabbit Nursery LLC in Buckeye with her sons. Hazel is survived by four sons, Ernest, David, Michael and Patrick, two granddaughters and three brothers, Ernest, William and Fred and two lifelong friends, Chris Hartman and Lily Osuna. She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Betty. She was a great lover of animals, especially her Pugs. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 PM with a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 20, 2015 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road. A Graveside Service will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 21, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.
Eric J Wagner
You boys have my deepest sympathy and regret. Your mom was always so kind to me in highschool. May God bless you all.
Eric J Wagner
Candace Rak-Kinonen
Sending you healing hugs during this very sad time.
Rak-Kinonen Family
Wanda Martin
Ernie, David, Michael and Patrick, your mom was truly loved and will be missed. She’s resting now, but we all can look forward to seeing her again. Our sympathy and prayers are with your family. Love, Gene and Wanda Martin
Judy Woods
Hazel was a dear friend, a great human being and a shining star to so many in her life. I will miss her more than words can say. My heartfelt condolences to her family and her extended family. There was no one like Hazel, she was 1 in a million!
Sincerely,
Judy Woods
Juanita Soto Ayers
Your mother had a great sense of humor. She genuinely cared about having all her students succeed and she loved you boys deeply. I’ll never forget that we shared many laughs together. You have my sincerest sympathy. May God bless you always.
leslie holt
Hazel was like another mother to me. I am blessed to have a lifetime of memories with her . Hazel was seriously the strongest woman I have ever known! She was a warrior in every sense, and to say she was made of steel, would be an understatement! The grief and emptiness we feel right now is a testament of how amazing Hazel was
Kathy Carr
Aloha nui loa to Hazel’s boys and very special thanks to her youngest’, Patrick, for his loving vigil by her side.She will be deeply missed. Kathy Carr
Patrick Leonard
Mother RIP 11/9/15 days before your birthday
As I been here by your side day and night my brothers been here thru out the day and your other family and friends so sad of time to see you pass you raised us boys to be who we are today and in business for our selves and for me your youngest son Patrick at your bed side I laid my self across you my hand on your heart to feel your heart beat slower and slower till it stopped at 4:30 pm today and I accept it cause you were in pain for so long but I’m glad I was born with your love and your forgiveness for things and people and most of all I thank you for your warm and out going personality I have today towards people I love you mother
Pleonard212002@yahoo.com
Kent Erwin
Hazel, my lifelong friend. We had many good and funny times together. Rest in peace old friend. Your boys will miss you. Kent Erwin
Betsy and Rob Rotondo
David, Michael, Patrick, and Ernest
Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to each of you and your family.
I see the the qualities that your mother bestowed upon each of you.Educated,Friendly,responsible,kind,caring young men. Always willing to help others in need and you run the family business Jack Rabbit Nursery, an awesome nursery that serves the Buckeye community and surrounding area, with lots of pride and customer service.
Hazel taught her boys at a very young age these valuable skills and traits that they possess today, qualities that will remain with each of them through out their lifetime..
Blessed you are to have had such a wonderful mother,your mothers love and spirit dwells among each of you full of love and grace’.Hazel is very proud of you boys.May Gods love give you strength to carry on and please know that we are here for you and ,you are loved.
Larry Braun
Your mother was practically a life long friend. We first met when she was 14 and I was 17. We met in Richland Center, Wisconsin at a party hosted by Jean Lunenschloss. Jean lived in Richland Center in the summer and went to school in Phoenix during the winter with Hazel. Your mother was on vacation with your grandmother and traveling thorough Wisconsin.
We reunited in Hollywood, Calif. at Comer and Doran Bty. School and remained friends ever since that time. A mutual friend, Bruce Vanderhoff brought us together not knowing that we already had met several years before.
I was so excited that she was able to attend my birthday party last She will truly be missed by all. Hugs to all four of you.
Larry Braun
Marsha Burke and Melanie Krahn
With heartfelt sympathy for Hazel’s sons and family, we will greatly miss her laughter, love and good sense. We have lost a good friend.
Mark and Lori Olson
We first met Hazel in about 1980 when we moved into the old Solano Sunview Estates neighborhood. Our oldest son soon became best friends with her oldest son. It didn’t take us long to become friends with Hazel and Pat. Also, it didn’t take long to notice how strong (in every way) Hazel was. Leslie Holdt said it best “she was a warrior”
We share great memories having endured many of the parental challenges as our boys grew up together.
We had many laughs watching the kids riding the various motorized vehicles over the years (especially the old red car.
We enjoyed the company of her boys at our house, and had lot fun with them.
My personal favorite was the the guy on the CB from Dallas Texas whose handle was “the Silver Bullet”.
When she went back to teaching, my wife and I agreed that she was one teacher that will have TOTAL command of her class. hazel was an amazing woman! This is Lori , Mark’s wife now adding how many laughs Hazel and I enjoyed dealing with our “kids” and all the crazy antics over the years. I remember being pregnant and struggling with trimming my roses and Hazel marched down to my house ( we were neighbors) and pretty quickly got my rose bushes in shape. She was always willing to help anyone out and so so much fun! We laughed over everything and knew our boys were going to constantly be doing something we didn’t approve of but loved them all the same. The mental picture I have of all of my kids and her 4 boys pushing wagons and bikes will always be with me. I loved Hazel and will remember her fondly forever!!
Mark and Lori Olson
We first met Hazel in about 1980 when we moved into the old Solano Sunview Estates neighborhood. Our oldest son soon became best friends with her oldest son. It didn’t take us long to become friends with Hazel and Pat. Also, it didn’t take long to notice how strong (in every way) Hazel was. Leslie Holdt said it best “she was a warrior”
We share great memories having shared and endured many of the parental challenges we faced as our boys grew up together.
We had many laughs watching the kids riding the various motorized vehicles over the years (especially the old red car.
We enjoyed the company of her boys at our house, and had lot fun with them.
My personal favorite was the the guy on the CB from Dallas Texas whose handle was “the Silver Bullet”.
When she went back to teaching, my wife and I agreed that she was one teacher that will have TOTAL command of her class.
Hazel was an amazing woman! This is Lori , Mark’s wife now adding how many laughs Hazel and I enjoyed dealing with our “kids” and all the crazy antics over the years. I remember being pregnant and struggling with trimming my roses and Hazel marched down to my house ( we were neighbors) and pretty quickly got my rose bushes in shape. She was always willing to help anyone out and so so much fun! We laughed over everything and knew our boys were going to constantly be doing something we didn’t approve of but loved them all the same. The mental pictures I have of all of my kids and her 4 boys pushing wagons and bikes will always be with me. I loved Hazel and will remember her fondly forever!!
Our deepest sympathy goes to the entire Leonard family.
Phil Enomoto
Hi Dave
I’m so saddened to hear of Your Mom Hazel. I was hoping she and you would spend more time with us in Kapolei again. My prayers will be genuinely offered to God in Christ for you and your family.
Love and Aloha
Phil & Judy Enomoto. Kapolei Hawaii
Phil Lutfy
To Ernest, David, Michael and Patrick,
Your mother was like an “older sister” to us all, always available for advice or help.
When we were young and all together, she was always the center of attraction with her wit, stories and personality.
Oh God, how we are all going to miss her. Deepest sympathy to you all and your family.
Nan, Eric and Philip
Fred J. Linsenmeyer
Ernest, David, Michael and Patrick,
My first memory of your mother was her presence and gift–a story book–at my First Holy Communion at Saint Theresa’s Church, Phoenix. She was entertaining, fun and intelligent. While we were separated geographically such memories and qualities are recalled fondly. May memories of her laugh, smile and touch sustain you always. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Your cousin,
Fred J. Linsenmeyer
Jessica Williams
I loved teaching with Hazel. We always had so much fun laughing at lunch in the teachers’ lounge. She inspired me with her sense of humor and her wonderful outlook on life. She also gave me tons of gardening advice. I will never forget her reaction when I asked her if she “composted;” it was very snarky and hilarious!
Gone too soon!!!!!
Ernest Leonard
Thànk you all, from the bottom of our hearts for your amazing support and kindness throughout this sorrowful time. Words could not describe how thankful we are for your prayers and support.
Thank you,
Ernest Leonard