Hazel Wilma Anderson Wolin, 96, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 of natural causes in Elk Grove. Mrs. Wolin was born on July 14, 1907 in Sacramento. Hazel, was the daughter of Lilly Ball and Edward Anderson, granddaughter of William P. and Jennie Ball of Amador County and great-granddaughter of Jennetta Proctor Ball who traveled west to Amador County from Indiana in the 1860s by covered wagon. She was also a sixth generation of John Proctor, a veteran of the American Revolution. William Ball’s brothers were early settlers in Shenandoah Valley, Amador County and were engaged in mining and farming.

Her many childhood memories included riding the Amador stagecoach from Sacramento to Amador County and playing in the water of the Michigan Bar mining ditch on the family’s property. In 1925, Hazel married Ed A. Wolin, a native of Minnesota, in Sacramento County and soon afterward moved to Amador County. For many years she was active in the Grange, the Amador County Fair and Willow Springs Community Club. Her many interests included ceramics, needlework, cooking and canning and spending time with her family at her home along the Cosumnes River.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Morley L. and Eunice Wolin of Plymouth, William E. and Sylvia Wolin, Robert H. and Thala Wolin all of Jackson; daughter, Beth Van Sickle of Fort Bragg; 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchidren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Archie and Kenneth Anderson of Sacramento. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. Friends and family are welcome to come and bring photos and memories to share. A private family service will be held at the family plot in the Michigan Bar cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Daneri Mortuary in Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1212 Robinhood Dr., Ste. 5D, Stockton, 95207. Condolences may be offered to the family at daneri@cdepot.net

Originally published in the Amador County Ledger-Dispatch, 2/20/04

Pete's Comments: Goin' old school California history this week. Really interesting family history here -- California pioneers from the 1860s, and a long history with Amador County (created in 1854), mining, farming, etc. I wonder if Hazel's experience riding the stage from Sactown "up the hill" would have followed the route of present-day CA 16, or perhaps CA 88? Here's a link to some geeky data about the Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar. I'm not sure what "the Grange" is, but I assume it's a farming thing? Also note that Hazel's public service was held at the county fairgrounds -- she must have been quite a fixture in the area!

******************************************************
Who is the man in the category image?