Hazel Helen Rand
Aug. 24, 1933-May 31, 2024
Westminster, United States

It is with great sadness that we must share news of the passing of decades-long Palo Alto resident, Hazel H. Rand.

Hazel was born in Bath, England on August 24, 1933, and first moved to Palo Alto in 1963, with her husband Roy E. Rand (who passed away in 2022). After moving back to England for a few years, and also living in Perth, Australia for a few years, Hazel and Roy returned to Palo Alto for good in 1978. After Roy’s passing in 2022 Hazel moved to Colorado to live closer to her children and grandchildren.

As a young adult in England, Hazel was a sailor with the Girl Guides - Sea Rangers, and then served in the WRNs (Women’s Royal Navy), receiving an Honorable Discharge at the time of her marriage to Roy. While in Perth, Hazel completed her BA in Anthropology at the University of Western Australia - the degree she started at Foothill College. Her last place of employment before her retirement was at the Center for Radar Astronomy at Stanford University, as a technical administrative assistant. After her retirement she was a volunteer at the Gamble Garden Center. She was also an avid amateur photographer for many decades, who won several awards for her creative and unique landscape photography.

Hazel and Roy were also avid travelers in their various camper vans over the decades, camping all over Europe, Australia, and North America. Hazel always enjoyed the challenge of a good cryptic crossword puzzle, and was a whiz at Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Hazel loved owls and had an unrivaled owl figurines and pictures collection, that in later years earned her the nickname Hazowl. She always loved a good laugh with friends, and had a quick wit enjoyed by many. Hazel is survived by her children Elizabeth and Richard, and grandchildren Cordelia, Julian and Andryw. She will be profoundly missed.

Tags: arts/media