BALLACHAY: In Loving Memory of Hazel Del Ballachay who was born Nov. 4, 1918 at Denholm, SK and passed away Aug. 6, 2012 at Battleford, SK. Left to cherish Hazel's memory are her loving children: Victor (Marlene) Ballachay, Gladys Pettapiece and Alvin (Pauline) Ballachay; 8 Grandchildren, 15 Great-Grandchildren and 5 Great-Great-Grandchildren; one brother, Neil (Delores) Scott and family. Hazel was predeceased by her parents, Clyde and Agnes Robinson; step-dad, Johnson Scott; husband, Jack Ballachay; brother, Cecil Robinson; sister, May Pearce; son-in-law, Bob Pettapiece; grandson, Jason Ballachay. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, August 10, 2012 ~ 1:00 p.m. from St. Joseph Calasanctius Roman Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK. with Fr. Val Besas, Celebrant. Cross Bearer was Trevor Pettapiece.The Eulogy was given by Karen Umpherville. Music Ministry ~ Pauline Ballachay & Tera Klak ~ accompanied by Darcy Klak. Liturgy of The Word: 1st Reading ~ Tera Klak; Responsorial Psalm (sung); 2nd Reading ~ Kim Pettapiece; Gospel ~ Fr. Val Besas; General Intercessions ~ Tera Klak. Liturgy of The Eucharist: Offertory Gift Bearers ~ Gladys Pettapiece & Alvin Ballachay. Active Pallbearers were Tom Ballachay, Dale Oborowsky, Ken Pettapiece Darcy Klak, Keith Pettapiece, Darcy Umpherville. Memorials are requested to Diabetes Association ~ Alzheimer Association and Multiple Sclerosis Society. Interment took place at Catholic Extension ~ City Cemetery, North Battleford, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. 446-4200 Eulogy ~ Composed by the Ballachay Children of Hazel Hazel Dell Robinson was born to John Clyde and Agnes [Parkinson] Robinson on November 4, 1918 near Denholm, Saskatchewan. Hazel came from a family of 4 boys and 3 girls. Hazel's Dad died when she was 12 years old. In November, 1932 she moved from Denholm to a farm at Meeting Lake with her mother Agnes and Step-Father, Johnson Scott. In1934 with Hazel's Grandmother, Melvina [Morgan] Robinson, they moved to Rabbit Lake. Hazel remembered going to school at times with no lunch or lard on her bread because they were very poor. Jack and Hazel were married October 5, 1938. They farmed together with Grandpa Ballachay and lived in their own house on his farm North of Rabbit Lake from 1938 to 1946. They had 3 children: Victor born in 1939, Gladys born in 1940 and Alvin born in 1947. In 1946 they built a house on their own land in Rabbit Lake behind the school. They farmed 6 quarters of land, raised pigs, chickens, geese and milked cows. Hazel was a very hard worker. In 1954 they built a pool hall known as Jack's Pool Hall and it was opened Jan. 1, 1955. In 1955 Grandpa Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was in a wheel chair by July, 1956. A 3 bedroom house was built behind the pool hall and the family moved there in 1956. Hazel experienced a big change in her life. She rolled up her sleeves, and worked extremely hard putting in long hours each day. Hazel as a wife and mother became an ENTREPRENEUR, AND BREAD WINNER. Hazel was a care giver for Jack, a carpenter who completed the house behind the pool hall, operated Jack's Pool Hall from 9:00 AM to 12 midnight 6 days a week, vacuumed the 3 pool tables, swept concrete floor of debris, and carried stoker coal for the coal stove in the winter. She also stocked shelves and filled the pop fridge, made many trips to North Battleford to pick up car loads of confectionary for the pool hall, and numerous other chores such as looking after the rented farm land. Hazel never complained and was a tremendously loyal person. Being a 37 year old woman in these circumstances, must have been very difficult. Hazel passed the test of life by living up to her commitments and providing a strong deep love, loyalty for her husband and children. How many of us would be up for this challenge? Hazel closed the Pool Hall in 1966 and bought a house in North Battleford. Jack remained at home until he required additional care and in 1970 moved to The Palliser Nursing Home in Swift Current. Hazel was so devoted to Jack that for 7 years she drove her car 1 or 2 times every month [just like clock work] 400 miles round trip to Swift Current to visit with him. In 1977 Jack moved to the Battleford Regional Care Center until his death in 1994. Hazel worked at the Holtet's Esso Restaurant and at a construction camp from 1966 to 1974. In 1971 Hazel bought a residential lot in Meota, Saskatchewan and had the house from behind the pool hall moved to Meota. In 1976 she bought a nice 3 bedroom home on Walker Drive in North Battleford. Hazel worked as a Kitchen Aid at Saskatchewan Mental Hospital from 1974 to 1983 the year she retired. Hazel sold her house on Walker Drive in 1991 and moved into a 2 bedroom apartment at Windor Crescent. Hazel moved to Davidson Manor, a senior complex, in a 1 bedroom apartment in January, 1998. In July, 2007 she moved to River Heights Lodge and in 2008 she moved to Battleford District Care Centre until her death. Every year from 1993 to 2007 Hazel would travel to Phoenix and loved to spend 3 to 6 weeks with Alvin and or Gladys and Pauline. Hazel's favorite pastimes were reading, curling, quilting, playing cards, camping, travelling, liked cats and dogs and just going for a drive. She enjoyed music, church, flower arranging, sing songs, games, coffee groups, shopping, bingo, and loved watching people. Her favourite snacks were ice cream and candies which she still enjoyed right to the end. She was very friendly, happy, had a big heart, and was well liked and received by people. A friend told a family member that Hazel was a Diamond in the Rough. The many quilts and afghans that Hazel made with loving hands will be a special reminder of her to us all. Hazel's legacy of love and generosity will live on through her family. Mom, Granny, Hazel we love you and we will miss you. ____________________________________________________
