Hazel Simpson Webster (11 Mar 1929 - 4 Jan 2015)

In loving memory of the late Hazel Simpson Webster who sadly passed away on 4th January 2015
I have just heard the sad news of your dear mom and my most favourite aunt. My fond memories of your mother will sustain me for a long, long time. Any room she entered was immediately transformed into happiness and joy. Her optimism, smile and cup half full attitude seemed to rub off on all in her presence. I know she will truly be missed by so many.

Your mom was always such a positive person, taking so much in her good-natured stride. She just made everyone around her feel happy with her infectious sense of humour. I imagine she was a wonderful patient, so easy to love.

Hazel moved south at a very young age and proved to her family that, with a positive attitude and determination, she would have a life to be proud of. For, as we both know, Hazel was indeed, a very proud woman. Nobody has to remind you of how great a lady and above all, a mother she was.

From this day forth, I will cherish your mother's memory with her glorious smile impinged permanently in my mind. Her kindness, grace and selflessness have obviously passed down and so her legacy lives on.

She was everybody's friend, mum, nana, aunt or sister and loved to spend time with the girls, especially hearing all the juicy gossip.

She will of course be missed terribly but I'm happy to say we have such special memories of her as we went to so many lovely places together and everywhere we go, we will know she has been with us...and still is supporting us all through this difficult time.

She thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the New Derby Opera Company, appearing several times at the Derby Playhouse and the Buxton Opera House as well as being in the Locko Players and helping front of house for the Mickleover Players.

I will always remember her lovely smile, happy attitude and soft Scottish accent; she was a very special lady.

Indeed your mum was a wonderful and very special lady. I noticed that the first time when I met her in the late 90s. You can be very proud of her. She was so lovely and warm hearted and she did the most beautiful performances! Hopefully she will not suffer anymore now that she has found her peace.
What I remember is that she was just a lovely lady who obviously loved you very much. Even towards the end, despite obvious discomfort, she never complained and was even thinking of others – insisting that I rest when I came up to keep an eye on her!
One instance that sticks with me is when Alex was born and he had that ‘blip’ on his eye. Hazel spent hours cuddling Alex and gently stroking the ‘blip’ and willing it to disappear and disappear it did. What a handsome, perfect face Alex has today... In addition, for my part, whenever I met Hazel she was ALWAYS so positive and whatever she said to me was thoughtful, boosted my confidence and made me feel good about myself.

It has been so sad to see mum suffering, however we have our wonderful memories and I will always treasure the times we spent up in Scotland travelling up by various means - motor bike and side care, overnight trains, bus or car.

I remember when I was struggling with my ‘0’ level revision and phoned her from the local telephone box. She told me to get the next bus and go up to where she worked as a telephonist in the days where you could walk into a work place without being challenged. She bought me a cream cake and a cuppa and had me answering phone calls!
We often went into the Market Hall in Derby to look at the pets and over the years have brought home a kitten, a mouse, a terrapin or a budgie much to my dad’s disgust!
After doing the weekly shop on Friday nights, we used to have a Vesta beef curry and watch a horror film together and whenever I was upset she would always make the time comfort me.
I don’t actually recall her losing her temper with me but I do recall the time I was swearing terribly at someone when I was directing a panto and didn’t realise she was there. All she said was “don’t worry, he deserved it!”

While in hospital, she was always pleased to see us and just before Christmas she pointed at my bottom saying to Gemma “enormous!” and “I wished she’d shut-up” about a lady in a bed opposite.
She would always speak loudly in the cinema or when watching plays and constantly rustle sweetie papers.
When she made me a drink she would always say ‘sugar Angela?’ to annoy me as she knew I didn’t take it or ‘sweetie Angela?’ as I rarely had one and she always called us Petty as did her sisters Peggy & Isma.
She would tell my friends and I if she thought we were putting on too much weight or if she didn’t like the colour or style of my hair
We always came to blows when she insisted on paying for things saying “you can’t afford it, when you’re working”
One time while staying at my Auntie Isma’s, the three of us made a tape of Gaelic sayings, some quite rude and we laughed so much that it hurt.
We ate haggis and tatties with my cousin Kevin in the Highlands of Scotland and many an hour was spent blathering up in Scotland with her family drinking endless cups of tea and eating homemade cakes, I wondered if they were ever going to come up for breath.