Hazel M. Harrison

Hazel M. Harrison, 95, a longtime resident of, and teacher in Sanford, died July 4th at the Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.She was born in Thomaston on October 13, 1915, the daughter of William and Marie Malina (Regis) Harrison and moved to Sanford at the age of two.A highly educated woman, she graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Farmington State Teachers College, attended the Portland School of Fine Arts, Syracuse University, the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire.She taught art in the Sanford school system for 35 years where she was known to be tough and demanding yet fair and reasonable. She felt that education should include more than the three R's, yet understood the varying degree of artistic ability in her students, many of whom left her class with a lasting impression of her. She retired in 1979 and pursued the violin, playing with the Portland Junior Symphony Orchestra for 12 years and teaching violin lessons in her home.Truly a renaissance woman, she has been variously described as a very proper lady, dynamic in personality and in possession of great musical and artistic talents. Her interests were varied as well. She was a long time member of the Sanford Springvale Historical Society, the Sanford Springvale Art Association, a 50 year member of the College Club and a long time attendee at the Trafton Senior Citizens Center where she enjoyed making pottery, membership in their book club and their writing club where she composed poetry. She stayed very active by attending concerts, art shows and gallery openings. And then of course, there were her companions at home, her cats. Friends have lamented the loss of a creative and dynamic intellect.She was a long time member of St. George's Episcopal Church in Sanford.Survivors include several cousins.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday beginning at 9:00 AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, where a funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Susan Murphy, Rector of St. George's Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will follow in North Parish Cemetery in St. George.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.