Hazel H. Holden

HARRISVILLE, N.H. — Hazel Helena (Thompson) Holden, 95, of Harrisville, N.H., passed away Dec. 30, 2012 at home, surrounded by her family.

Hazel was born in North Sebago, Maine, Oct. 21, 1917, the daughter of William and Vera (Richardson) Thompson.

Hazel lived fully in her chosen roles of nurse, wife, and mother. She graduated from Deering High School, Portland, Maine in 1934. Deciding upon a career in nursing, Hazel entered Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary in Portland, and graduated as a registered nurse in 1938.

Following graduation and her marriage to Norman Holden Sr., in 1939, they moved to Billerica, Mass., where they lived for 42 years. Hazel’s favorite and most important career was raising her three children and making a wonderful home for her family. Hazel was a devoted wife, and loving mother and grandmother. Her many friends enjoyed her warm hospitality and exceptional good humor. But most of all, she will be remembered for her love for her home state of Maine.

Hazel and Norm purchased a “camp” in 1952 on Highland Lake in Bridgton, Maine. Once retired, they moved from Billerica to their year round home on the “lake.” A year later they bought a home in Tavares, Fla. Following that, 22 summers were spent in Bridgton and winters in Tavares. Four years after the death of her husband Norman, Hazel moved from Maine to Marlborough, N.H. to be closer to her family. Her last move was to Harrisville, N.H. to live with her daughter Beth and son-in-law Jeff. She joined The Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham in June, 2004 and was active in the Tuesday Ladies Group.

Hazel is survived by her three children, Norman N. Holden Jr. and wife Jillian Holden of Tamworth, N.H.; Constance Holden Molesky and husband Paul Molesky of Parma, Ohio; and Beth Holden Smith and husband Jeffrey Enright of Harrisville, N.H.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three nieces and one nephew. Her husband of 60 years, Norman Holden died in 1999.

Graveside services celebrating her life will be held at a date and time to be announced at the Lakeside Cemetery in North Sebago, Maine in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hazel’s memory, to either the Deacon’s Fund of The Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham, P.O. Box 201, Harrisville, NH 03450, or to Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services, P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH 03431. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm St., Bridgton, Maine.