Hazel McKendrick, age 80 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at home, surrounded by her loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born on January 16, 1942 in Newark, NJ, daughter of the late John and Hazel Sickles Castagna, she was raised in Newark and had resided in South Plainfield, NJ, and Sevierville, TN, prior to moving to Raritan Township several years ago.

Hazel will be forever remembered as a true “Boy Mom”, instilling toughness, compassion and determination in her three sons.

She was known as a woman who spoke her mind, was always fair, and never really had a filter, as she lived each day to its fullest.

A hard worker, she worked for several pharmaceutical companies throughout the years and found much enjoyment and relaxation at the beach, with the Jersey Shore being one of her favorite places to relax and unwind.

Loving all animals as if they were her own, she had a veritable “menagerie” over the years, with roosters, horses, dogs and many other animals occupying Hazel’s heart and the family’s home!

An unknown author once wrote, “The ocean is everything I want to be. Beautiful, mysterious, wild and free.” To all those reading this who wish to honor Hazel, the best way you can do this is to live wild and free, holding nothing back and giving the world your best!

In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald McKendrick in 2002, as well as by her brother, John Castagna.

Surviving are her children and their partners, Donald E. and Diane Bowser, William J. Bowser and Sandra Hermann, and James P. and Pamela Bowser; her grandsons, Jonathan Bowser, James P. Bowser, Jr., and Christopher Bowser; her granddaughter and her fiancé, Samantha Bowser and Scott Snell; her brother and sister-in-law, Philip and Judy Castagna; her sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Bill Shank; her first husband, Donald J. Bowser, Sr.; several nieces, nephews and extended family; her canine companion, Bella; and many dear friends.

Graveside services will take place on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ. Everyone is asked to meet at the Public Information Center, just off the main gate, at 10:15 a.m.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Hazel’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, via mail to: P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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