Hazel spent the last weeks of her life being excellently cared for by her family and the staff at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead. If you would like to make a donation in Hazel's memory we would ask you to direct it to this wonderful organisation. Donations can be made online via the facility provided on this web page, or by texting 'HLEV92 £##' to 70070, with the ## being the donation amount, up to a value of £10. Donations can also be made by cheque, posted to: In Memory Funds, Marie Curie Cancer Care, PO Box 23897, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 9AB.

If you would like to send us a memory, poem or photograph of Hazel to be displayed on this page please email Susan at susan_levi@fastmail.fm

 

Poems and Memories

'At Day-Close in November' by Thomas Hardy

The ten hours' light is abating,
And a late bird flies across,
Where the pines, like waltzers waiting,
Give their black heads a toss.

Beech leaves, that yellow the noon-time,
Float past like specks in the eye;
I set every tree in my June time,
And now they obscure the sky.

And the children who ramble through here
Conceive that there never has been
A time when no tall trees grew here,
A time when none will be seen.

 

Welcome All, I want to call you dearly beloved, as that is precisely why we are here, sharing this time and space. 

 

We are here to celebrate Hazel’s life and, although she had many interests especially in the literary arts and language, she would be the first to say that her life was about the people in it, the people she loved. We are all here because she played a role in our lives and we want to honour her.  She was a wife of 67 years to Gerd, a mother to Anthony and me, I want to say a great grandmother to our six children but that might confuse you – she was a wonderful grandmother, a sister to three siblings, a mother-in law (or in the much more appropriate French “une Belle Mere”) an aunt, a cousin, a neighbour, or perhaps you originally met her purely by a lucky accident of life. But no matter what your relationship to Hazel, or hers to you, it is almost impossible to imagine that you could talk to her and not believe she was also your friend.  She had a way of making your well-being her concern, of listening to your problems no matter how many times you might repeat them, as if they were hers. She was always on your side, unless you were hurting another of her beloved. And that is why we are gathered together. No matter what foolish thing you might have done she helped you feel better about yourself, your children, your past decisions, the future.  She was an endless source of kindness and sympathy and many people from all over the world have expressed that to us again and again in the last few days.  She often said that the things she was most proud of in her life were her children and grandchildren, we are all proud to be her legacy and want to share our thoughts and memories of her with you, interspersed with excerpts of some of Hazel’s favourite music and poems we have chosen to allow us all to reflect. 

 

This poem was written by a friend of her father’s. She particularly liked it and wanted it included in an anthology of her father’s poems.

 

 

From brother Geoff & Family in Australia 

We are with you all in our great loss of an exceptional lady 

Hazel was loved & admired by all who spent time in her company & though we were separated by distance, there remained a deep love & an unbreakable bond 

Our girl’s & their friends and my two grandchildren were especially grateful to her being a second mother whilst so far away in the UK 

Words will never be enough to describe the void left by Hazel’s parting & I would be the last to try  

I cherish many memories from our childhood, like daring Tom, Kathleen & myself to jump streams whether in winter or summer regardless of falling in the middle & having to get dry before going home 

When I tell people Hazel started me smoking they can’t believe such an elegant lady could have been such a tom boy  

There are thousands of such memories to sustain me which I know you also all have.   

Though separated by distance my thoughts will be with you all on Monday 

Love Geoff & Family  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granny,

It's so hard to try to put into words the impact you've had on my life. It feels like every fond memory I have of my childhood carries your imprint. When I think of picking beans or chasing frogs in your garden I can feel you there; a warmth and a sense of safety that I never thought to question.

More than just a presence though, you have been a role model to me. I've never known a kinder or more giving person than you, and the simple fact of your good nature has helped me on my way to being a better person at every stage of my life.

I don't remember when I realized, but at some point I must have figured out that the world was not full of people like you; that it was not filled to the brim with wonderful, selfless people; that it was not overflowing with caring persons doing everything in their power for those they loved. You helped to give me that most wonderful gift: that baseline assumption that people must be good and kind. You gave me a world that was simple and caring, and you gave me a higher standard for patience, humility, and common decency than I could have received from anyone else.

Yours in eternal gratitude and love,
Isaac

 

When I was much younger grandma used to sing a nursery rhyme to me, and it has stuck with me ever since. 

There was a fair lady upon a white horse 

who rode all the way from Banbury Cross 

with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes  

she shall have music where ever she goes 

As a little girl about to enter dream land I would hear this rhyme and imagine a younger Hazel in a white dress smiling serenely as her horse carried her down a country lane. Now that I am older I understand why I have always pictured it this way. You see each one of us loved by Hazel was a ring on her finger or a bell on her toe, she supported us and taught us to harmonize and love one another. Her loved ones were truly the music to her life, and in return she provided music for ours.

                            Goodbye to Grandma

It is hard not to resort to superlatives when describing Hazel Levi. Her endlessly endearing personality traits are so well known by those around her that I needn’t in any case. I shall however reminisce about two of my favourites.

First is Grandma’s amazing calming influence. This came in particularly useful during our weekly family dinners, where arguments of some kind were very frequent, if not frequent. During this couple of hours or so, she and grandpa, sat at the heads of the dining room table, became the priestess and priest at the closest substitute our family has come up with for Sunday mass. Incidentally, I highly recommend this alternative ceremony; although the spiritual content may be sparser, the refreshments are considerably better.

 

Secondly, I will remember and savour Grandma’s open-mindedness. I always found the stereotype of the grandparent sitting in an old armchair, proffering the odd mildly prejudiced comment, interspersed with snoozes and digestive biscuits, hard to reconcile. Perhaps this is because my dad fulfilled this stereotype perfectly. Actually that’s not fair, dad cannot abide the sugar content of digestive biscuits, and therefore would never eat one. I felt I could talk to Grandma about anything and didn’t have to sensor or finesse my language in order for her to listen. She and grandpa have always been people I’ve been proud to introduce my friends to, and their wisdom is an invaluable resource I have been fortunate enough to be privy to.

 

I have always seen my grandparents on my dad’s side as third and fourth parents. When I think of Grandma now, I reflect on how lucky I am to have had her in such close proximity most of my life. I am also tremendously grateful to have one of her children for a father, and another for an aunt to whom I feel particularly close. That is not to mention her wonderful husband, whom I hope to be able to spend many more years with in continuing great health.

 

With an esteemed philosopher for an uncle I hesitate to postulate on the state of grandma’s soul, being or reincarnated self, but I am certain that her legacy will live on in her grand children’s efforts to emulate the virtuous paradigm she set out for us.  

 

My Grandma

 I am so utterly grateful to have had Hazel as my Grandma.  

Through all the stages in my life, she has listened to my changing feelings and ideas. Never Judging. Always understanding.  

Hazel had an amazing way of taking ownership of your anxieties and burdens, leaving you with a warm contentment that can only be given by the dearest of friends. And that is what she was, my dearest friend.  

 

Compassion, wisdom and love are things that I am sure you will already know grandma gave readily. She exuded those values and they seemed to be elements of her core like muscle and sinew are to most of us. However here are a few things grandma taught me that perhaps you don’t know about. 

 

Grandma, thank you for teaching me how to knit. I apologise for leaving a scarf we began together incomplete for 6 years? Maybe I’ll get on to it some day. Grandma also helped me with the laborious task of sewing chain stitch all the way across the ends of my ballet point shoes–just one of the activities on our weekly after school meetings, when grandma would pick me up from Tetherdown school and take me to Western Road for hot chocolate -and wisdom- and then walk me to my ballet lesson. 

 

Italian was another talent of grandma’s that, at my request, she benevolently tried to bestow upon me. Again, apologies grandma –I really might work on this one.  

 

Grandma and I more recently bonded over poetry. She supported me throughout my English literature degree with helpful discussions, always listening intently to my opinions, even when I didn’t know what I was talking about, offering books from her shelf or quotes from her marvelous memory! – I emphasise this because she was never satisfied with her memory unless she knew the whole poem, writer, and collection that she was referring to. My brothers and I were amazed at her still remembering quotes from poems a couple of weeks ago in the Hampstead Hospice. 

 

 

The last thing I will mention is more predictable. Grandma, thank you for teaching me how to be a good friend and give good advice, to listen to people’s problems and hear them openly. I don’t always practice the kindness that you’ve taught, but at every attempt you are the inspiration. You have been much more than a grandmother to me and I will always know you as a best, beloved friend. And as I promised to make a solid attempt ---  

---Grazie Nonna, e arrivederci.

 

 Hazel Levi – my mother

As you have heard and probably know, Hazel was a woman and mother of endless kindness, always willing to really listen and take on anyone’s problem as her own, with what was sometimes a lifetime of commitment.

 There are three memories of mine that I want to share.

Firstly, when I was about 6 years old going to sleep but couldn’t because I felt guilty about something, I would call her. She would always listen carefully, console me, and form an action plan for the next day (the latter without any management training). Whatever she said or did, I was always able to sleep within minutes of her leaving the room.

Secondly, from when I was 12 she made a consistent and continuing effort to make theatre and the visual arts part of our lives. She did this subtly and with no resistance from Sue and I. I look back at this in wonder now, having had the experience of raising my own children.

Third, as you can see (today from the younger people), she was the best grandmother and mother in law (Liz asked me to say that) in the world. She said herself, several times, that if it not were for the 6 grandchildren and her being involved with them very closely, she would not have lived beyond the age of 70.

 Lastly, a tribute to my father who has cared so well for Hazel, constantly, and especially during the past 11months as her final illness took hold. Thank you Pa!

 If anyone would like to read or say anything they have prepared, please join us back the house.

 Now to close, I would like to read a poem by Pablo Neruda.

 Anthony 01/09/2013

 

 

My Aunt Hazel

 My fondest memories of my aunt Hazel are from my childhood – when it seemed that my mother, Kate, (Hazel’s sister), my sister Jackie and I, would either be spending our holidays with our Levi cousins at Manor Terrace in Felixtowe or at Western Road.

Staying at number 29 Western Rd was a favourite with me – Hazel’s food was always fabulous and never ending. There was a hatch between the kitchen and the dining room, with a continuous flow of food in one direction and empty plates in the other – at the end of the day with the piece de resistance – Hazel’s cheesecake! Undeniably the best in the world.

 

Then of course, came the games! Cards, Risk, Monopoly and table tennis – all usually instigated by Hazel. I think the table tennis was her game of choice – we’d spend endless hours in the summer, playing at the table in the garden and of course, Hazel would always win. I don’t think I ever took a game off her.

 It was the same with Monopoly – Hazel and Anthony would usually end up dominating the board, with Anthony going into a huff when Hazel won! All great fun – well maybe not for Anthony!

 Yes – it wasn’t all about food and games, but the Levis and Reavies and the great times we had with Hazel encouraging and teasing and talking – and boy could Hazel talk! But she was always interesting and interested.

 Communication was just one of her talents – there were continuous letters between her and my mother, as well as the phone calls, keeping us all up to date with events and stories – always recounting fascinating family history about Grandad and the Kanes.

Never boring, I just wish I had taken more in.

 But what did my auntie help to instil in me? The desire to succeed and to be confident – the importance of communication – well I’m still working on that, but most of all, the importance of having fun with your children and, in Hazel’s case, grandchildren.

I thank her for this and shall never forget her influence.

 Freddie X

(Freddie Reavie, Hazel’s nephew)

 

Thank you for your support.