November 18, 1927 – May 2, 2023
Hazel Rose Sunderland (née Bell) was born on Friday, Nov 18, 1927 in the hamlet of Marchmont, Westmoreland, Jamaica. She died peacefully on May 2, 2023 at Errinrung Nursing Home in Thornbury Ontario. She was 95 years old. We would like to thank the staff at Errinrung, as well as her dedicated private duty nurses. We also thank Dr Jennifer Young who very affectionately cared for Mom.
Mom was the 7th child of 11 to Emla Rosalie and John Alpheus Bell. She was the first in her family to immigrate to Canada in 1956 and soon after she assisted most of her siblings to also immigrate to Canada. She continued that pioneering and adventuresome spirit throughout her life. She moved with a confidence and poise, seldom seen in young women in those days. Mom was courted by Mr. Samuel Arthur Sunderland, who had recently immigrated to Canada from County Wicklow, Ireland. They were married on May 18, 1957 in Toronto and began raising a family soon after.
Mom was a devout christian in a non-denominational church, following a simple life of morality, humility and community. She returned to work after her kids started school, managing the house, sewing clothing and preparing home-made meals continuously. She worked at various places then settled in at Ontario Hydro for over 20 years, being on the forefront when keypunching changed to computer programming then system analysis for design engineers. She took night classes for computer studies, piano, swimming, yoga lessons and even Confident Speaking courses. She maintained an open home to recent immigrants from all over the world, hosting wonderful Sunday dinners that compelled long and passionate discourse followed by music and harmonies around the piano.
She loved and was loved by an extended, vibrant Bell Family and friends. She is predeceased by her husband, Sam (2006) as well as 9 of her siblings, leaving only her Maid of Honour, Hyacinth DaCosta remaining. She is survived by her children: Margaret Hernandez (George), Joan Chinnery (Stephen), Dorothy Sunderland (Steve Langford) and Alan Sunderland (Jenice). She will be sadly missed by her 11 Grand-children and 5 Great-Grand-children. She was known for her cooking, crocheting, sewing lessons, keen eye doing jigsaw puzzles, and spirited Scrabble & Dominos/ Tri-ominos games. She was a bright star at many family gatherings and will be sorely missed by her numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Mom never sought the spotlight but would quietly work in the background to make the world around her a better place.
You are welcome to attend the Visitation on Friday May 12th at Highland Funeral Home - Scarborough Chapel from 4-8 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday May 13th at 10:30 am with an open mic to follow and a drive to the cemetery at 2:15 pm. Live streaming is available through the Highland Funeral Home Scarborough Chapel website. Go to Hazel Sunderland and click on the “Live Stream Link” under the Obituary.