Hazel T. Farwell, age 99 passed away peacefully at home in her sleep Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Arcadia, Florida. She was born May 19, 1924 in Wauchula, Florida to Gene Thompson and Ammora Pearl Skinner Thompson. She attended school in Wauchula graduating from Hardee County High School in the Class of 1943.
Her first job was packing parachutes in Arcadia at Carlstrom Field, after working there for over a year she started working as a telephone operator for Bell telephone Company in Lake Wales. In January 1945 she married Ray Farwell and moved back to Arcadia.  In 1947 she moved to Fish Branch where they took over the Farwell Citrus Growers. They also owned and operated the airport in Gardner, Florida. She enjoyed the Arcadia Garden Club and was a volunteer at Desoto Memorial Auxiliary for 15 years, giving over 8400 hours of service. Ray and Hazel worked at the 4H club for many years. She chaperoned the 4H girls to the state meeting when there wasn't an agent in the county, also 4H summer camps in Ocala and Lake Placid. Hazel was active in PTA when their children were in school, attending state meetings in Gainesville. She was a charter member of the Home Demonstrations Club, later to be Extension Homemakers and FCE homemakers. She was awarded 60-year membership in Extension Homemakers until its disbanded. Hazel was elected first president of Cowbells in Hardee County in the 60's. She was active in Farm Bureau Womens activities, Hazel and two other ladies from Florida were awarded all-expense paid trip to the National Farm Bureau Convention in Chicago and on the way, home were stranded on the tracks because the diesel train froze up. Hazel loved to travel on group tours, she has toured Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland. She loved quilting, sewing, crafts for the hospital and helping kids, sewing over 1000's of hug a bears for young children.  Hazel was a member of Gardner Baptist Church and attended the women's group and was an inspiration to those she met. In 2015 the farm ranch property sold, that had been in the Farwell family for over 100 years.
Hazel is survived by her grandchildren Richard (Pam) Farwell Jr. Of Arcadia, Florida, Robynn (Jonathan) Bachman of Sarasota, Florida, Richard Bates Farwell of Arcadia, Florida, David Ray Ivy of Sebring, Florida, and Robert Delron Ivy III of Houston, Texas, along with great grandchildren Jadynn Bachman, Jonathan Bachman Jr., Evangeline Bachman and Nolen Ivy. And nieces Mary Jean Stearman, Nancy Pearl Born, Diane Brooks, and Jane Mumbauer.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and all her sisters, husband Eldon "Ray" Farwell, son Richard Gary Farwell, daughter Sandra Joan Ivy and granddaughter Renee Farwell.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 10:00am at Gardner Baptist Church. Services at 11:00am at Gardner Baptist Church, with a burial following at Gardner Cemetery.
Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com
Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.