Hazel Ann Hoelscher Anderson's Obituary
Hazel Ann Hoelscher Anderson, 85, resident of Germantown, TN for 50 years, passed away on December 20th at her home in HarborChase of Germantown.
Hazel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, J.R. Anderson, her parents, Henry and Victoria Hoelscher, and her siblings Harry Hoelscher, Clara Norton, Victoria Karp, and Julian Hoelscher. She is survived by her four children: Mark (Stephanie) Anderson, Susan Anderson, Sharon (Tim) Donovan, and Keith (Amy) Anderson and nine grandchildren: Timothy (Sydney) Donovan, Katherine (Luke) Dean, Connor Anderson, Hallie Anderson, Luke Donovan, William Anderson, Ben Anderson, Michael Anderson, and Liza Anderson. Hazel also leaves her beloved nieces, nephews, and close family friends to cherish their fond memories of her.
Hazel was born in Atlanta on September 15, 1937. She was a talented student and, at the suggestion of her school counselor, she applied for and received a scholarship to attend college. She graduated from Emory University, married J.R., and after a brief time in New York, settled in Germantown, TN in 1969 where they raised their children in the house they lived in and loved for 50 years. Hazel also earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Education from Loyola University. She was a gifted educator, teaching children at both St. Louis Catholic School and St. Agnes Academy, before ultimately becoming the Director of Religious Education at Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit — a position she held for over twenty years. Through her leadership of a large and dynamic catechetical program, she led more than a thousand children and their families closer to God. Church of the Holy Spirit was truly Hazel’s home. She and J.R. were founding members and very active in its many ministries as well as the Cursillo movement and Birthright of Memphis.
Above all, Hazel was a devoted and loving wife and mother, and she was a perfect example of grace — always relying on her faith through all of life’s challenges. She loved learning, gardening, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and supporting J.R. in all of his crazy endeavors (she would often roll her eyes and exclaim, “Oh, J.R.!”). We will miss her, but we take comfort in knowing she and J.R. are together again in heaven.
A Memorial Mass will be held at the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit (2300 Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis 38119) at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 14, 2023. The family will receive guest starting at 12:00 p.m.
The family appreciates the prayers and support they have received and the assistance of Hazel’s amazing caregivers these last few months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis, Church Health Center, or Birthright of Memphis.
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