FARMINGTON – Hazel Jane Kershner Stevens, 101, Boston Post Gold Cane holder of Strong, died early Wednesday, June 20, at the Sandy River Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born July 14, 1905, a daughter of Michael and Lizzie Adella (Parsons) Kershner. She received her education in Strong schools, graduating in the class of 1923, and attended Grey’s Business School in Portland. On Dec. 25, 1927, she married Frank Stevens and they were married for 69 years before Frank’s death in 1997.

She worked as a hairdresser and during World War II, became a barber to run her husband’s barber shop while he was working at the shipyard in Portland. She also worked at Forster Manufacturing in Strong for many years and later worked as a supply clerk at Franklin Memorial Hospital for several years. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, flower gardening and maintaining her houseplants at her home on the Spaulding Road in Strong prior to going to Sandy River Nursing Home.

She was a member of the Oppalunski Chapter 125 Order of the Eastern Star of Phillips, the Strong Area Extension, the Strong Historical Society, and the Strong Senior Citizens. On Sept. 23, 2003, she was the recipient of the Boston Post Gold Cane from the Strong Board of Selectmen for being the oldest resident of Strong.

She is survived by her children, Russell Stevens, and his wife, Eloise, Dawn S. Pratt, and her husband, Andrew, Frank Milton Stevens, and his wife, Audrey, Marshall Stevens, and Betty S. Snell, and her husband, Leslie, all of Strong; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Charleen.