Hazel Quelch

Hazel moved to her eternal home on August 22nd, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born on June 21,1940 to Henry M. and Elizabeth (Fresn) Robinson of South Hero. After happy years of growing up on her dad’s farm, Hazel graduated from Northfield School for girls in East Northfield, MA in 1958 and from University of Vermont in 1962.

Hazel married John R. Quelch in 1963. They raised their 3 precious children in Montpelier and spent summers at their beloved camp on Keeler Bay in South Hero.

Hazel’s occupations included teaching in Alburgh and Bethel; a stay-at-home Mom; a librarian at the Aldrich Library; and a Sales Associate at J.C. Penney’s in Burlington.

John and Hazel moved to South Hero in 1995, where they spent many wonderful years enjoying the lake together and traveling.

Hazel moved to Shelburne in 2015, five years after John’s death. She was a member of the North Avenue Alliance Church in Burlington, where she met her special companion, Doug. They spent many happy years together enjoying Southern Gospel Music and going on day trips all around Vermont.

Hazel loved curling up with a good book, gardening, playing Bridge, cross country skiing, canoeing/kayaking and enjoying a walk in the sunshine. Her happiest moments of all were those spent with her four precious grandchildren.

Hazel was predeceased by both of her parents, her husband John of forty-seven years, and their daughter Joanna.

She is survived by her friend Douglass Gunnerson of Hinesburg; a daughter, Sheryl Zelten (Peter) of Melrose, MA; a son, Richard Quelch (Trinia) of East Calais; four grandchildren: Elizabeth and Marissa Zelten, Kyler Quelch, and Emmalynn Peterson (and her father Andy); four step great grandchildren; a close “sister-like” cousin, Sarah R. Wakefield; a brother-in-law W. Robert Colclough and two nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 6 at 11:00am, at the Congregational Church of South Hero, followed by a reception at the church. A gift in memory of Hazel may be sent to North Avenue Alliance Church, Congregational Church of South Hero, or a charity of your choosing.