AKWESASNE – Mrs. Hazel Cecelia Herne, 55, of 73 Racquette Point Road, unexpected passed away early Tuesday morning, December 21, 2010 in the emergency room at Massena Memorial Hospital.

Hazel was born May 11, 1955 at the family homestead on Cornwall Island, the daughter of Michael and Mary Thompson Leaf.  She attended General Vanier School in Cornwall.  On June 5, 1976, she married Robert F. Herne at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Francis Arsenault, officiating.

 She first worked at the Levi Jean Company in Cornwall, before working at Island Pizza and the Mohawk Bingo Palace.  She then went to work at Kanienkehaka Fuels, where she was an account manager.  She was a communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church.  She enjoyed playing pool and was on the “Racquette Point Witches” Pool Team.  She also enjoyed playing radio bingo, shopping, and spending time with her grandchildren and family.   Hazel also enjoyed sitting outside enjoying the patio and pool.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Joe and Melanie Herne of Fort Covington; Clifford and Tricia Herne of Winthrop; Bryan and Amanda Herne of St. Regis, Quebec; a daughter, Cindy Herne of Akwesasne; 7 grandchildren, Joseph Jr., Jasmine, Jenna, Michael, Reesa, Cora, and Piper.  She is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and John LaFleche of Cornwall Island; 5 brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe Leaf, Teddy and Denise Leaf, Lawrence and Yvonne Leaf, Nelson and Loretta, and Leslie “Van” and Cookie Leaf, all of Cornwall Island; and many niece and nephews.

He was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Kenneth Leaf.

Friends called at her home beginning Wednesday until a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated Friday, December 24, 2010 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. George H. Belgarde, SJ, celebrating.  Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hogansburg. Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.