Hazel Margaret Curry, 89, passed away on October 14, 2006 at the Hospice at the Chaplaincy house in Kennewick, Washington. She was born in Lewiston, Idaho on December 14, 1916 to Mary Margaret and Thomas W. Evans and was the youngest of 9 children.

Hazel grew up near the Nez Perce Reservation of Lapwai, Idaho. She was very proud of her Native American heritage. Hazel was an avid swimmer, winning many trophies and ribbons in her youth. She taught all of her grandkids how to swim on the banks of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. She taught all of her great grandkids to swim in pools. She was getting ready to start teaching the 5th generation of her family to swim when her health started to decline. Yet she was eager to sit at the pool and coach.

Hazel married Bernard Karshen and through that union, was born her only child, Sandra Louise. Bunny and Hazel later divorced and she met Dale Wendall Curry. Dale and Hazel were married on October 3, 1949. Shortly thereafter they moved to Richland, Washington. Dale became employed at Hanford and Hazel worked a few jobs but mainly was a homemaker. They both were very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7952 Richland.

Hazel had a great compassion for children and animals. All of the children in the nearby neighborhoods called her ''Grandma Gooch'' and the animals knew where to go in the old south end of Richland for a good ear scratching and lots of food.

She will be missed by her daughter, Sandra Jerry Lukins, of Richland, Washington, sister, Myrtle Motanic, grandchildren - Ruth Tim Stezaker, Sherill Tommy Collins, Debra Lee, Deanna Mike Wingart, Eric Lukins, Kurtiss Shannon Lukins. She is also survived by many great grandchildren, even great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Curry, her parents, 7 of her siblings, and a great grandson.

She will be laid to rest next to Dale Curry at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Saturday, October 21, 2006, 2:00 pm with reception following at On the Green Condominium Recreation Room, 303 Gage Blvd, Richland, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of Hazel Curry to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society.