Hazel Hemphill Roane Steinborn, 73, died peacefully in her home, December 20, 2012, attended by her close friend and caregiver, Terry Lee Buckner. Hazel was born December 11, 1939 near Coleraine, Northern Ireland, the only daughter of 5 children born to Robert and Elizabeth Hemphill.
She emigrated to Canada at the age of 17 and she met her late husband of 30 years, Richard Roane, who died December 1st, 1999. Together, Dick and Hazel dedicated their lives to working with Montana’s troubled teenagers and developmentally disabled adults, and it is from this dedication that their family grew, as clients also became family.
Hazel loved gardening, knitting and crocheting, taking and organizing family photos and videos and telling all about her children, her grands and her greats. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren each held an extra-special place in her heart. She was the kind of Mother and Grandmother you could talk to.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Steinborn of Virginia, son Douglas Roane (wife Ruthanne) of Billings, son Derek Hemphill (wife Kate) of England, and daughter Sandi McGregor (husband John) of Helena and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Lawrence and Allison of Ireland and Gordon and Kenneth of Canada.
A Memorial Service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m., December 27th at Retz Funeral Home with a burial to follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. . In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the YWCA PO Box 518 Helena, Montana 59624-0518. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Hazel, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com
Belinda m Cornell says
Hazel was a well liked person.She had a heart of gold.She allways loved helping people and showing how to do something.She is now with all the other angels flying free.I will miss her dearly but i know she is at peace and dose not have pain any more pain.She will be watching over her family at all times.
Cooki Steinborn Gilbert says
Hazel was a wonderful step mother, grandmother, wife, mother and friend.. I will cherish the times we spent together and I still use the affgains she knitted us for Christmas one year.. I am so glad I was able to keep in touch with her for the last 5 months and to let her know how much we loved her. A 5 minute call made her happy. She loved her family. God has received another angel…She will be missed by all but memories of her we will cherish. We love you! Cooki Steinborn Gilbert, Rusty Gilbert, Bayse Bourne and Grant Giibert
Evelyn Knowles says
I enjoyed working with Hazel at Tri-County & Spring Meadow. Sharing laughs & talks about my neice, Stacy, that she took care of. Fond memory of the shamrock seeds she brought me back from Ireland & the shamrock plant she gave me. She was a good friend. She will be missed. Your friend, Evie.