Hazel Mae Ferland

With a very heavy heart we said good-bye to our mom, grandma, great-grandma, and friend Hazel May Ferland on January 27, 2024 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.        

Hazel was born the fourth child of John and Beatrice Bilow on May 29, 1950 in Barrows, MB in almost the same location she would one day make her home. Hazel was delivered by the local midwife, Florence Ferland, unknown to Florence at the time that she would become Hazel’s mother-in-law. She joked that if Florence had known that she would marry Eddy “she would have put me back”. The Bilow family lived on the family homestead in Powell, MB until the children all had to attend school. They then moved to Barrows.

Hazel had a great caring nature, a witty sense of humor, and unconditional love for her family and friends. She had a busy life raising children, taking care of her grandchildren, helping friends with anything they needed, cooking, gardening, and canning.

On November 8, 1968, she married the love of her life, Edward “Eddy” Ferland in Thompson, MB. Hazel and Eddy lived in Thompson for a few months then moved back to Barrows where they resided until their passing. Hazel said that she moved once and had no desire to ever move again. They welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Shayne in April of 1969. In May of 1972 they welcomed their first daughter Sherry-Ann, and in July of 1974 their daughter Laureen.

She enjoyed going out on the lake in the winter season to help Eddy commercial fish. She would tell the story of how one time they forgot a jigger, so Eddy went back to get it. He left her at the first hole and it started storming, but thankfully he made it back in time to find her. She spent a lot of time out there and it didn’t matter how cold it was out on the lake, she would stay until the nets were done.

Hazel often spoke of her younger days and the adventures she had with friends. She loved to tell her grandchildren these stories, who were her greatest joy. She taught them many life lessons including how to roll her smokes.  There are countless memories had with their grandma that will forever be held in their hearts. She looked forward to her visits with them and eventually enjoyed visits with her great-grandchildren too.

Hazel was an avid card player and looked forward to her daily games of cribs with her friend Geri. At times you would think they were mad at each other and going to fight during their games, but at the end of it they were laughing and playing again the next day.

In 2018, Hazel was first diagnosed with cancer and had a mastectomy. On the way home from one of her appointments, she joked “it’s no more Crazel, from now on I’m one-tit-Hazel”. You never knew what would come out of her mouth. Her sense of humor was one of her greatest qualities.

Many times when you tried to call Hazel, her line would be busy. She would spend hours a day talking and listening to what her friends had to say. Even when she wasn’t feeling good she had to answer her phone because someone needed her to listen.

We would like to consider all of Hazel’s family & friends as honorary pallbearers.

Hazel is survived by her children Shayne, Sherry (Calvin), Laureen, Braden (grandson), grandchildren Jordan (Tori), Logan (Shailynn), Christopher, Robyn (Hayden), Carson (Ivy), Tanner, great-grandchildren Brady, Caspian, Koda, Brooke, Oaklan, Landon, Laiker, Hudson, Reese,Nash her brother John, sister Gail, sister-in-laws Shirley, Myrtle, Linda, and brother-in-laws Clarence (Linda), Earl

Hazel is predeceased by her husband Edward, parents John and Beatrice Bilow, mother and father-in-law Florence and Joseph Ferland, sisters Joan and Helen, brothers Raymond and Delbert, brother-in-laws Henry (Audrey), Gabe (Florence), George, and Earl and her niece Crystal.