“The idea is not to live forever but to create something that will”
Cotton – On Monday, December 23rd, 2019 heaven received another angel, Elizabeth “Hazel” Cotton. For 94 years she was the light of our lives, she has shown us strength, love and how to live life to the fullest, she will be greatly missed by all. Hazel was the fifth child of six born to Alfred and Beatrice Morrison, she was born in Cardston, Alberta on September 19th, 1925. The family moved to Medicine Hat and later to the Clancy District where Hazel attended the Clancy School driving a horse and buggy to school. Hazel married the late Raymond “Ray” Cotton on November 12th, 1944 at the home of Don and Jean Grainger by Rev. Allan Dixon. Their first home was a three-bedroom house in the Clancy District; they built a new home in October 1950 and traded their first house to Hank Charlton for an electric stove, fridge and deep freeze. They lived and raised their five children on a mixed farm where working in the fields and feeding cattle required everyone’s help. When the first cutting of hay was up, they found time to take the family camping to Wasa Lake in B.C. In 1977 Ray and Hazel built a home in Duchess and lived there for many happy years, finding time to travel and visit family. While raising her family she also worked off the farm at the Plains Motel in Brooks, then the Duchess Café and Old Dutch potato plant. Hazel served her community as a member of the Royal Purple in Brooks and on the Duchess Homecoming Committee. She had a love of cross-stitch, needle point, and embroidering passing these skills onto grandchildren. Hazel moved to a condo in Brooks and lived there until December of 2012, at which time she moved to the New Brook Lodge where she lived till her passing. Hazel is survived by her five children; Donna (Gene) Nichols, Beatrice (Alfred) Dietz, Gladys Gaudet, Dollie (Ken) Link and Raymond Cotton; as well as, 15 grandchildren 30 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Hazel was pre-deceased by her husband of 62 years, five siblings, grandsons Chris Self and Darren Coyne, granddaughter Antonia (Toni) Nielson, daughter-in-law Connie Cotton and son-in-law Brian Gaudet.
Another year, another page.
A million moments melt away.
The ticking-tocking hands of time,
what’s found and lost, remains sublime,
The details that we hold so fast,
are nothing more than memories past.
For love is all that lingers true,
The bond that ties my heart to you.”
– Jann Arden (2013)
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A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 PM from the Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Hazel, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Newbrook Lodge (Newell Foundation), 500 – 3rd Street East, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1P6.
Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652
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