Hazel Nancy Pierce Nelson Obituary (1938 - 2009)

My sweetheart and friend of almost 50 years lost her long battle with Inflammatory Breast Cancer on January 24, 2009. Hazel Nancy Pierce Nelson was born on August 1, 1938 in the west desert village of Hinkley, Utah to Thisbe and Hyrum Pierce. She grew up and attended school in the Riverton and Sandy, Utah areas and graduated from Jordan High School in 1956. Hazel was a life long and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held many positions over the years including Relief Society President, and most recently was the Stake Meeting House Librarian. She was always involved in her children’s activities and served as PTA President at the Crestview school in Holiday. Hazel’s main passion in life was to make beautiful quilts and to teach others to make quilts. She received many first place Blue Ribbons at the Utah State Fair for her beautiful work. She was also very active in community charity work and currently served as a board member of the Deseret Foundation. She was recently given a special recognition award for her charitable work by the Utah Philanthropy Foundation; she was recipient of the “Heart and Hands” award on December 4, 2008. Hazel married Jim Ralph Nelson on June 11, 1960 and shortly thereafter he went to work for GMAC and they had a wonderful, exciting life adventure living all over the U.S.A. (9 states) and spent several years living in Europe. Hazel’s always optimistic, and positive attitude was a source of strength, joy, and inspiration to her husband and for all who knew and loved her. Where ever she lived she always seemed to be involved in important activities in the community. Hazel has lived a full and meaningful life and we will miss her so very much. She is preceded in death by her parents, step-father Fred R Allen, and also her brother Ted Pierce. Hazel is survived by her two sons, Wade (Kim) Nelson, of Castle Rock Colorado, and Andrew (Kate) Nelson of Alexandria, Virginia. Survived by three grandchildren, Steven, Michael and Olivia Nelson all of Castle Rock, Colorado. Also survived by four brothers and sisters: Fred Allen, Jerry Pierce, Kaye Frehner and Charlotte Archer, all living in the Salt Lake area. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday January 28, 2009 at Jenkins Soffe Mortuary at 1007 West 10600 South in South Jordan, Utah at 1:00pm. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 6PM to 8PM at the Mortuary. Friends may also pay their respects at a viewing beginning one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at the South Jordan Cemetery.