Hazel Abbuhl, 85

Hazel Bullis Abbuhl passed away in her home in Issaquah, WA on October 23, 2023 at the age of 85 surrounded by family after a struggle with declining health. She faced death as she faced life: with courage, love, and grace.

Born in Valentine, to Rudolph and Olive Bullis, Hazel spent much of her time on the family’s ranch reading books. Her love of learning and the written word took her to the University of Nebraska where she earned her bachelor’s degree and then the University of Washington where she earned her Masters in Library Sciences. This love carried her through three careers, first as a teacher, then as a librarian, and finally as the owner of a copy-editing business.

She learned to speak Spanish at the University of Nebraska and later taught junior high and high school Spanish classes. As a librarian, she worked for the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln, and later for the King County Library System in Federal Way, WA. As a copy editor, she took great joy in editing books for Haymarket Books and Ignatius Press. She infused her love of language, books, and learning in her family and her legacy is in the countless number of lives she touched through her teaching and kindness.

Hazel was quiet and reserved, finding happiness at home, in her family, and in her books, but those who knew her well knew that she was tremendously brave and unshakable in her convictions. She faced many life challenges with wit and grace. For her daughters, she was the Rock of Gibraltar.

She was devoted to her family and will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her sister, Cora Bullis; and brother, Robert Bullis.

She is survived by her daughters, Rebekha Abbuhl of Issaquah, WA and Melissa Caviezel of Enumclaw, WA, and son-in-law Chris Caviezel.