Born in Rhode Island on October 18, 1923, Hazel's life took many paths.

During the depression her beloved father died. Her strength and devotion to family and God grew from those lean years. She graduated in 1941 from Central High School in Providence. Unable to go to college at that time, she finally at the age of 70 reached her goal and received a BS degree with honors from The College for Lifelong Learning at UNH in 1994. During World War II she worked in Washington D.C. for the OSS wartime intelligence agency. After the war Hazel's spiritual side led her to the Baptist Missionary Training School in Chicago. In 1947 she gave up becoming a missionary when on summer break in RI she met and married Don Johnson. They had three children and a marriage lasting 63 years. Hazel and Don were active at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Warwick providing water skiing and spiritual fellowship for teenagers at their summer home. They moved to Gilford NH in 1965 and built a home near Gunstock ski area. Hazel's skill as a secretary landed her jobs with law firms, state and federal positions. In

1972 life changed dramatically for Hazel when she nearly died after contracting spinal meningitis. Because of life's uncertainty, she and Don decided to enjoy life. They sold their home and bought a sailboat in Florida and lived a nomadic life. Hazel jumped ship in 1977 and at the age of 54 moved to Claremont to pursue a career in occupational therapy at NH Voc.Tech. Don followed her upon graduation. She worked as a COTA for the Claremont school system and loved her job and the children she helped.

Though her health slowly deteriorated as time went on, she loved writing, reading, crafts and being in nature. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend to many. Family includes husband Don, son David Johnson and daughter-in-law Sarah, Meredith, NH, son Steven Johnson, Concord NH, daughter Donna Johnson, Claremont NH and one brother Dr. Herbert Carlin, New Jersey.

Funeral services will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 11 AM with Reverend Priscilla Hull officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 until 11.

Internment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

The family suggests that donations nay be made in her memory to the Stevens High School Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 710, Claremont, NH 03743.