Wanda Louise Gridley Hazen, the mother of six who worked a variety of jobs, died on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 while in the loving care of her only daughter, Betsy, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was 88.

She was born on Aug. 6, 1936, the daughter of Albert Gridley and Alice Dingman Gridley.

“Wanda lived in Norton Hill and went to Greenville schools,” her family wrote in a tribute. “In the early 1950s, Wanda and her siblings with their mother and stepdad, Ed Shook, relocated to Clarksville and Wanda enrolled in Bethlehem Central schools.

“She was courted by and married Richard Hazen in 1954. That marriage produced six children and ended in divorce 25 years later.

“Wanda reconnected with her teen beau, Ray Shufelt, and they enjoyed a life together until Ray’s death in 2017.

“Wanda and Richard owned and operated Walt and Mac’s restaurant on Delaware Avenue in Albany from 1966 to 1976. She later worked at Happy’s in New Salem and at the Little Lodge where the Clarksville Stewart’s is now.

“Subsequently, she went to work at the Albany County courthouse and stayed there until retirement.

“Her mother and father died before her, as did her siblings, Gary and Sharon.

“She is survived by and deeply missed by her children, Darrell; Ricky and his wife, Veronica; Guy and his wife, Pam; Chris and his wife, Debbie; Ken and his wife, Lori; and Betsy — and anyone else who had the good fortune of knowing her during her 88 years on this Earth.”