Hazel Grace Meiners Shields

Hazel Grace Meiners Shields died at her home in Meadow Springs on August 10, 2010, 40 days after her 100th birthday. Hazel was born on July 1, 1910 at her family's farm in Walla Walla, Washington. She attended Maxson Country School via horseback and quickly passed through grades 1 through 8 in 7 years. She attended Walla Walla High School, graduating in 1928. Her college career began at Whitman College in 1929. The depression necessitated her to withdraw from Whitman. She then attended Walla Walla Business College and finally Washington State University. In 1932 she married her high school sweetheart, Fred Shields, Sr. After their marriage, they moved to Yakima where Fred worked first with Rainier Printing, a Shields family business, followed by the YMCA and then with Broad's Books and Stationery. After 15 years in Yakima, Fred and Hazel with their two children moved to Pasco where they founded Shields Books and Stationery. They operated this stationery and office supply business for 50 years, selling it in 1997. Fred died in 1998.

In the early 1950's, after moving to Pasco and finding no Presbyterian Church in operation, Fred and Hazel were charter members of the Pasco Presbyterian Church which they helped establish.. After a year of meeting on Sunday in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, a student minister from Princeton was hired to help found the Pasco Presbyterian Church. Rev. Arlan Dohrenberg lived with Fred and Hazel as he worked to begin the church. Years later, when they moved to Meadow Springs, Fred and Hazel again were charter members of a new Presbyterian Church there. Each served as Deacons and Elders in the two churches over their years of membership. Hazel was also a Charter member of the Pasco Soroptimist and was a member of the EL Chapter of PEO. For her time, Hazel was a groundbreaking business woman working at the head bookkeeper and founding partner of Shields Books and Stationery.

Hazel is remembered by her family and friends as a person of gentle kindness and one who graciously accepted all people. She was a welcoming hostess and an interested listener to all. She gave unconditional love and acceptance to all who entered her home. She is survived by her two children Fred Shields, Jr. and his wife, Marinez, and Mary Lynn Potter and her husband, Whitney. By her Grandchildren Keith Shields, his wife Stephanie and their daughter, Delaney; Scott Shields, his wife Marqui and their sons, Kamron and Kooper; and Stephanie Pedersen, her husband Aaron and their sons, Tyler and Brett. Hazel also is survived by her sisters May Butherus and Delia Crumb of Walla Walla. Hazel was preceded in death husband, Fred, by her brother Roy Meiners, her sister Elsie Frazier, her two nieces Sara Dee Crumb Keegan and Rebecca Shields and her nephew Frank Shields.

Hazel will be missed for her loving manner by her family and friends. Rest in Peace.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Einan's Funeral Home, Richland. Following the service there will be a reception at Memories at Sunset Event Center, on the grounds of Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland.