Hazel Augusta Mecham

Hazel Augusta Mecham, age 91, of Summerville died December 27, 2014 at her home. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Summerville Baptist Church and burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery.

Hazel was born on September 30, 1923, the daughter of Frederick August and Augusta Bertha (Kaiser) Sheppard in Maylands, Perth, West Australia, Australia. On May 11, 1942 she married Cecil Edward Mecham in Perth. In 1948 the couple and their young son came to the United States on a Liberty ship and settled in San Francisco, California. She worked as a seamstress for Southern Pacific Hospital and later, worked as a housekeeper for Jewish Home in San Francisco. After Cecil's retirement they moved to the Grande Ronde Valley. She was an active member of the Pleasant Grove Grange and loved going there to see her friends. Gardening was her gift as was baking. She made many wedding cakes over the years. She loved animals of all kinds, especially birds. She enjoyed canning, cooking, sewing and quilting.

Survivors include her sons, LeRay Mecham of Concord, California, Jerry Mecham of Wilson, West Australia and William Mecham of San Carlos, California; two grandchildren, Shannon Finney and Kristen Dean; four great grandchildren, Justin Finney, Alexis Dean, Abel Dean and Ava Dean; sister, Evelyn Sheppard of Australia; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010 and six siblings.

Those who wish may make contributions in her memory to the charity of one's choice in care of Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

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