The Hadwen Family of Lancashire

Hazel was born on December 29, 1924 in Denver Colorado to Virgil and Permelia Millsapps. She was the oldest of 9 children spending most of her childhood in Englewood very close to Hallmark Nursing Center where she left this earth to be with the Lord. She was the big sister to many of you in this room and found herself growing up very quickly as she helped her mother with all the babies. At a school dance she met the love of her life, Clyde Prichett. They married on July 12, 1941 in Abinene Texas where Clyde was stationed in the Army. They were well known for their swing dancing and “In the Mood” was their song. She did her part in the war effort by making bullets at the Remington Arms Munitions factory here in Denver. Together they raised 5 children, Marie, Melody, Jim, Hannah and Ellen. She was “Mountain Grandma” to 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. Before she lost her dear husband in 2004 they had celebrated 63 years together. The two raised their growing family in several cities before retiring from the Army and returning home to settle in Conifer, Colorado in 1961. With the help of Hazel’s father, they built their tiny home and over the next several years improved the house and property to what is now thought of as one of the nicest in their community. Hazel was content spending time in both her flower and vegetable gardens. She didn’t feel comfortable wearing gloves and was perfectly happy with dirt under her fingernails. She and Dad would haul large moss rocks from all over the countryside to build their beautiful rock wall and garden. She was truly an artist. In her early years she would sketch designs for commercial fashion ads for the May company in Denver. Sewing was a not only a necessity but also a joy for Mom. She made bonnets for babies, garters for brides, and just before getting sick she made many “cuddle” blankets in which she donated to the Sheriff’s department to distribute to children who might need a little comfort after a car accident or any other traumatic experience. She was always giving and always thinking about the children. Ceramics was another artistic passion. Every Wednesday she would gather with her friends in her next door neighbor’s garage. For hours they would drink coffee and share the latest gossip while creating everything from coffee mugs to light up Christmas trees. Several of us kids were given full nativity sets with all the characters from the Baby Jesus to the sleeping cow to the three kings. Each painted with heartfelt detail right down to the eyelashes. She was a caring mother who gave everything and every day to her husband and family, never needing or asking to be in the spotlight. She would help with every poster or school project and was especially helpful with the shoe box diorama. She made flash cards to help you learn your multiplication tables and would spend hours at the dining room table helping you with your math or studying for that next spelling test. She was in the audience for every school program or talent show, and in the stands for every basketball game and every track meet, cheering us on no matter how small or large our accomplishments. Mom was very involved in the tiny community of Aspen Park and was instrumental in starting up the Aspen Park Community Center and Homeowners Association. She served many years as an officer and organized many dinners, meetings and of course the annual Christmas party. She watched that community change over the years remembering when you couldn’t hear the traffic going down 285. She was very passionate about her family history and along with her sister Helen traced the family roots back several generations. She spent countless hours researching every trace of information she could gather sometimes tearing pages out of phone books in other towns she visited having a Millsapps or a Hanna listed. Several employees at Hallmark remember Mom the way she was when we moved her there over 3 years ago. They would tell us how they remember her smile and loved her quick wit. They too cried with us last Sunday afternoon. We would like to thank those of you who loved Mom, called her Momma or Grandma Hazel and treated her as if she were your own. When sitting around sharing stories these past few days, one of us would say something that would totally hit home with the rest of us. For example, we were poor, dirt poor. But at the time we didn’t know it. When others were stopping for a burger at McDonalds, we would stop at the store and buy bread, mustard and bologna and stop at the park for a picnic. If you asked for a piece of gum you would get ½ a stick and it would taste like the inside of Mom’s purse. Mom had to pinch pennies and was very proud of her rainy day stash of money and would show you where she hid it because it was in a special place that Dad couldn’t find! For those of you who knew her well I’m sure you know what it means to see Hazel’s fist in the air threatening you at the same time having a smile on her face. We may not have had much money but Mom always made Christmas special for us, saving whatever she could so we could share in the magic of the season. Knowing that Mom won’t be with us next Christmas breaks my heart but knowing that she is dancing in heaven with my Daddy makes me know that everything will be alright. Sleep well Momma