Hazel Rae Donaldson, 68, of Gila, NM entered into eternal rest on June 17, 2025. She was born on April 12, 1957 in Northern Sacramento, CA to Patsy and Smokey Sullivan. She was one of four children and the only girl.When Hazel was young, they moved around a lot. When they finally settled roots ending up in Gila, NM. She went to Cliff High School. She was on the cheer team and said it was the highlight of her high school career. They won several trophies in competition.
In 1979 she was married to her loving husband, Buddy Donaldson, in Tyrone, NM at the community center. In March of 1980 Hazel and Buddy were sealed in the Mesa, AZ temple for time and all eternity.
In the years to come welcomed 3 boys into their family; Levi, Clay and Terril. They moved all over the country due to Buddy being a travel nurse. Eventually they found their way to Springville, AZ where Hazel was a stay-at-home mom and later became a real estate agent with her best friend Cindy. She thought of Cindy as more than a best friend but rather as her "should have been sister."
In 2018, they moved to Gila, NM where they would spend the rest of their mortal lives together. She was preceded in death by her parents, Smokey and Patsy, and by her husband, Buddy. Hazel is survived by her three sons and step daughter; Levi Donaldson and wife Katie of Thatcher, AZ; Clay Donaldson and wife Tasha of Cliff, NM; Terril Donaldson and wife Darci of Duncan, AZ; Lin Miller of Gila, NM; three brothers, Glenn Sullivan and wife Nancy, Myron Sullivan, and Doyle Sullivan and wife Debbie; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, June 28th at 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gila, NM with a viewing at 9am. Concluding services and interment will follow at the Gila Mesa Cemetery. Pallbearers are Clay, Levi, and Terril Donaldson, Myron, Doyle, and Glenn Sullivan.
If you would like to send a gift, Hazel loved flowers and asked for "A LOT OF FLOWERS" to be at her funeral. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
