1919 – 2015
TOPSHAM — Jane Desaulniers Hazelton, 96, passed away on Friday, Oct. 23, of natural causes.
She was born in Lewiston in 1919, the daughter of Dr. Lucy O’Connell Desaulniers and Dr. George Desaulniers. Jane attended Lewiston schools and Seton Hall College. She married Paul V. Hazelton of Saco in 1942 and they shared an exceptionally happy marriage.
The photo chosen here was taken when Jane was teasing Paul about his untucked shirt, and he responded with an extreme public display of proper shirt-tucking.
Jane was active as a volunteer in the Red Cross, League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts and Neighbors Inc., a volunteer non-medical organization that assists seniors to maintain their independence in their own homes. In the last role, she drove cancer patients to chemotherapy and radiology appointments for years.
She was a frequent delegate to state Democratic conventions, proudly representing her much-loved town of Topsham. She served for many years on the SAD 75 school board and the Riverview Cemetery Association, and was a ballot clerk for the town of Topsham.
She was inspired by Julia Child and became an adventurous cook. She was a voracious reader until macular degeneration took her sight and she began listening to recorded books.
With her husband, Paul, Jane traveled extensively in Europe, living in England twice while Paul was on sabbatical from Bowdoin College. They also traveled throughout the United States and Canada and took an elder cruise to South America, going all the way to Tierra del Fuego.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Paul; and her brother, Robert of Boise, Idaho.
She is survived by her children, Stephen Hazelton and Mary Hazelton, both of Brunswick, and Anne Vaughan and her husband, Bob, of Brooksville; adored grandchildren, Kate and Sam Vaughan, their spouses Conor Byrne and Ireen Schlaegel, and great-grandchildren, Charlie Byrne, Maeve Byrne and Josephine Schlaegel Vaughan; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Memories and condolences can be made at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.