WHEN Hazel Davis departed this life, she left a void in all of our lives.
Hazel was born in the parish of Woods in Co Derry, near the shores of Lough Neagh, and came to live in Ballinderry on her marriage to Sammy Davis and resided in the townland of Ballygillen.
Therein lies the beginning of this very fine person's life.
As a young woman, she was struck down by the polio epidemic which claimed so many.
Hazel survived to raise her family and at this early stage of motherhood managed to overcome all the difficulties imposed by her condition.
She often said that she could not have coped had it not have been for her family, good friends and neighbours.
She returned this kindness a thousand fold.
No-one had a bad word to say about Hazel.
She was always there for her family and neighbours at times of need, illness and all the eventualities which life throws upon us.
Never a shrinking violet, Hazel had many strings to her bow. She was an early morning swimmer, and a valued member of the clerical staff in a number of local firms and practices where she worked for many years.
She was always anxious to keep up with all the latest innovations, but found surfing the internet wasn't her forte and gave it up as a bad job.
Hazel wasn't content however to sit at home and was often to be found on outings, visiting, or entertaining her little group of 'golden girls'.
The golden girls met up at arranged times and in doing so always had a charity in mind to donate their collective contributions.
When Ballinderry Historical Association was formed, Hazel was one of the founding members and maintained this interest to her final days.
She was a font of information about her locality and the people in it.
Hazel will be sadly missed by all of us, but she has left behind a legacy of kindness and Christianity, which were her trademarks throughout her life.
Hazel Davis (née Watterson) died on April 9. She is survived by her husband and five children.
May she rest in peace.
