Hazel Barzaghi

It is with great sadness that the family of Hazel Fischer Barzaghi announces her passing, on Wednesday July 12th, 2023, at the age of 24 years old. Hazel was born in Staten Island, NY to Catherine and Enzo on January 3rd 1999. She went to school at Tottenville High School. She worked as a nursing assistant.A private funeral service in memory of Hazel will be held. Please reach out to Catherine or Madeline for further information. Interment will follow at the Portland Cremation Center.In an effort to debunk rumors about Hazel's death we would like to share this information. Hazel took her own life. Hazel was seeking help, she was in therapy and taking medication, but it was all too much for such a young soul to live with. Hazel had a tough life and she fought bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder since 2018.The way we talk about people and their illnesses affects the people themselves and how we treat the illness. In the case of mental illness there is so much fear, ignorance and hurtful attitudes that the people who suffer from mental illness needlessly suffer further. Our society does not provide the resources that are needed to adequately understand and treat mental illness.Someday a cure will be found, but until then, we need to support and be compassionate to those with mental illness, every bit as much as we support those who suffer from cancer, heart disease or any other illness. Please know that Hazel was a sweet, wonderful person.Hazel's death has taken us to dark places, but we will stick together and protect one another as we try to make sense of this tragic loss. We never wish for anyone to feel the paralyzing pain that engulfs our bodies, a pain so severe that it makes the simple act of breathing difficult or the guilt that leaves us wondering what we could have done differently- or that struggle to remember the last words we spoke... Our hearts are beyond broken.Hazel, it was a privilege to have you in our lives and we will always love you. May you find peace in the arms of God and may we all be kind to one another.