Walburga Maria Hazlett

Walburga M. Hazlett, 97, beloved mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and aunt, passed away on April 30, 2025. She was born in Egenhofen, Germany to Joseph and Walburga Schroll. Her childhood was idyllic until WWII began in 1939, but with strength and faith she and her family survived and created a new life.

After high school, where she attained excellent English language skills, she was hired by the American Occupation Forces to work in the Finance Office at Munich Air Base. It was there that she met her future husband Ed. They married in 1949 and moved to Akron, OH where they started their family. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1962.

In 1966, Ed’s work with Goodyear took the family to Nairobi, Kenya, and later to Athens, Greece, Rome, Italy, and Brussels, Belgium. After getting her family settled, she immersed herself in learning the culture and sites of each city. She used her talent for languages to learn to speak Swahili, Italian and French, even attending university to master French. She enjoyed living in Europe, and took advantage of the short distance to visit her family in Germany and to spend time with her beloved mother.

After 21 years of overseas life she and Ed retired to Uniontown, OH and enjoyed traveling, visiting with friends and family and updating their home inside and out. An avid gardener, she spent countless hours working in their yard creating a welcoming and peaceful setting.

Walburga was a talented knitter, seamstress, and lover of beautiful things. She made clothes and home accessories for herself and her children, and knit numerous sweaters, afghans and prayer shawls. She enjoyed making a beautiful but comfortable home for her family and loved hosting holidays and celebrations. She was the consummate lady, always gracious, thoughtful and kind to everyone she met.

Walburga was preceded in death by Ed, her husband of 61 years, her parents, and siblings, Joseph and Lisa. She is survived by daughters, Diana Hazlett, Meg (John) Malinski, Jackie (Eric) Smith, grandchildren Jen (Kris) Francella and Daniel (Ana) Coady, 5 great granddaughters, her brother-in-law Siegfried, nieces Ruth, Andrea and Claudia; two nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and her “sister of the heart” Kathy Despot.

Hers was a life well lived and she will be forever missed by her family and friends. 

Visitation, funeral mass, and luncheon will all take place at: St. Elizabeth Church, 6077 Sharon Woods Blvd, Columbus, OH. Visitation: 10 a.m. Funeral mass: 11a.m. Luncheon following the funeral mass.