Story
Hazel Baker passed away on Friday 15th January 2010 at Meadow House Hospice - Ealing - following her long fight with cancer – which she bore with courage, dignity and humour.
Hazel spent the last weeks of her life at Meadow House and was able to receive her friends and family into this place of peace, comfort and caring. We - her friends and family - are grateful to the dedicated staff there who did so much for her in her final days. In particular it was wonderful for us to be able to celebrate Christmas with Hazel.
Hazel has left legacies for Cancer Research and McMillan Nurses and would – we are certain – wish donations given in her memory to benefit Meadow House.
Hazel was born in 1953 and lived in Ealing from 1957. She attended North Ealing School and then Ealing Grammar School for Girls. Hazel started learning the piano at the age of 10 and the organ from aged 13. She was appointed organist and choir mistress at St Barnabas Church – Ealing in 1969 aged just 16. Hazel also played the flute and piccolo and was a member of the Ealing Youth Orchestra and West London Youth Choir for a number of years.
Hazel was accepted into the Royal Academy of Music and in her first year undertook a joint course with the Royal School of Church Music at their then headquarters at Addington Palace near Croyden. Hazel attained the qualifications ARCO, LRAM and GRSM – to which she later added an MA. In 2002 she received an honorary associateship of the Royal School of Church Music for her extensive work on their behalf over many years.
Hazel was music teacher at St Vincents School in Acton for nearly 30 years and during this time also became increasingly involved in the Ealing Schools Music Association for who she continued to work until close to the end of her life.
As organist and director of music at St Barnabas she was able to nurture talent and to build a choir of a very high standard. Her success in encouraging the musical interests of young people was a particular joy to her and this dedication was rewarded by seeing many young choristers gaining awards and some even choosing music as their career.
Hazel loved to travel and visited many countries. She also spent time during her later years in Caithness at her holiday home where she assisted the choir at the Episcopal church of St Peter and the Holy Rood in Thurso into new areas of musical ability. Hazel also gave organ recitals in Thurso to raise money for the church.
In July 2009 Hazel celebrated 40 years at St Barnabas with a choral evensong and party. Few who were fortunate to be there will forget Hazel’s voluntary and the standing ovation it so rightly warranted.
Hazel will be much missed by her family and friends. Her legacy will be the joy she has brought to many through the gift of music and her generosity will help to ensure that this lives on – to the glory of God.
God bless you Hazel and rest in peace.
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