Hazel Winifred

(Walters) Ells - Zielinski

"HAZEL" everyone's "Nana"

Hazel entered eternal life on Thursday November 4th.  She has been in residence at Winchester Nursing Center receiving supportive care over the past year.  She was 102 years of age.

Born in Chelsea on March 17, 1919, she was a beloved daughter of the late Samuel and Marion (Magoun) Walters.   She attended the Shurtleff School in Chelsea and was graduated from Chelsea High School with the class of '37.

She was married to George Zielinski and together they began to raise a family from their Pearl St. home in Chelsea.  She was widowed suddenly when her beloved husband George passed away.  A young mother of three, 5 years later Hazel married John A. Ells.  They remained in the Zielinski Home on Pearl Street for many years.

Hazel worked outside of her home for many years.  In the 40's during WW II, Hazel worked for JA Cigar Factory in Charlestown, and she was a bookkeeper at a tomato produce company near her home on Pearl St.  She was a member of the "ILGWU" ladies' garment union and worked for many years with Boston based Goddess Bra Company.  Hazel was a talented and sought-after seamstress fashioning countless wedding and prom gowns, costumes and outfits for dance troupes and other garments from her home for family and friends.

She was a resident of Chelsea for most of her life.  Hazel and John would later make their home on County Road living with her dear in-laws Frank and Estelle Zielinski.  Hazel retired from work becoming "everyone's Nana".  She and John purchased a pop-up camper to spend weekends camping with her grandchildren and friends, Hazel relished that time camping all around New England.  Hazel loved to spend evenings around a campfire regaling her friends and grandchildren with heartwarming and entertaining stories.

She enjoyed traveling to Arizona and Las Vegas visiting her son and his family.  She was a charter member of the Friendly Neighbor's Club hosting weekly meetings from her home.  Hazel was a resident of Chelsea for most of her life.  A few years ago, she moved in with her daughter Patricia in New Hampshire and recently with her daughter Eileen in Rockport.  Wherever she lived she left a legacy of love living a full and wonderful life.

In addition to her parents and husband George she was again widowed in '98 when John Ells passed on.  She was also predeceased by her son George Zielinski, grandson David Middleton and her siblings, William Walters, Edith Radziewicz, Alfred Walters, and Samuel Walters, her dearly beloved in-laws Estelle and Frank Zielinski and her lifelong friend Frances MacDonald.

She was the devoted and forever loved mother of Patricia Middleton and her husband Robert of Greenfield, NH, George's wife Carol Zielinski of AZ, and Eileen "Leenie" Bradley and her husband Hugh "Butch" of Rockport.  Cherished grandmother of Michael Middleton, James Middleton, Shane Zielinski, Wade Zielinski, William Bradley and his wife Eileen.  Adoring great-grand mother of Lara Middleton, Olyvia, Bailey and Willow Middleton, Shayna Zielinski-Johnson, Arrow Zielinski, Maggie Bradley, and Max Bradley.  Loving great great-grandmother of Aubrey, Jamison, Karizma, Alyssa, Nikoli.  Hazel is also survived by her many extended family members of the Ells and Zielinski Families.

A celebration of "HAZEL'S WONDERFUL LIFE" will be announced and held later when friends and family can gather safely to remember this most special woman.

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