Hazel Poulin ... longtime, beloved Cuddles the Clown; at 88

ROCHESTER - It is with great heartbreak that the family of Hazel (Goodwin) Poulin / Cuddles the Clown of Rochester, NH announces her passing on April 4, 2026 after a brief illness. Hazel, 88, was born in York, Maine on April 12, 1937 to parents Gladys (Cummings) Goodwin and Everett Goodwin. She attended York schools and shared her youth with 8 siblings, Lillian, Loretta, Barbara, Donna, Robert, Herbert, Donald and her twin sister, Helen.

Hazel is survived by her daughters Brenda McCrary of Rochester NH, Linda Farley and her husband Richard of Pelham NH, Sandra Hardy of Port Orange FL and Debra Hardy of Rochester NH, her sister, Donna Walcott of Sanford, ME, step children Richard Poulin, Michael Poulin and Betty Jean McCrillis, 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 16 great great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and her adored dog Pebbles.

She is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Leo Poulin, her daughter, Patti Harmon, her son Russell (Rusty) Hardy, her granddaughter Danielle Coffin, her grandsons Christopher Harmon, Ricky Johnson, and Aaron O'Connor and 7 of her siblings.

Hazel lived her life to bring happiness to others. Her work life reflected this mindset as a pre-school teaching assistant in her earlier years, an assisted living housekeeping technician, and most notably, a professional clown for many years. As Cuddles The Clown, Hazel was a member of Granite State Clowns (Clown Alley), holding the position of president for several years. Clown Alley is the New Hampshire Chapter of Clowns International. Through clowning, she introduced her grandchildren to the wonder and magic of performing, urging them to join her as apprentice clowns and assist her in dog tricks, balloon animals, puppetry and parades. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Somersworth International Children's Festival, Hazel and her grandchildren were a fixture in many area parades and entertained the crowds with a booth filled with performances and fun. Spending time with Nana was a guarantee of a very good time.

Hazel's personal life revolved around children. As a Girl Scout, Boy Scout and 4H leader, she taught children to be self sufficient, self confident and to love nature and the world around them. Whether it was crafting, hiking the woods, camping, caring for animals or shooting rockets into the sky, she made every lesson exciting and fun.

As she grew older, crafting became the focus of her time. She spent every day creating original, handmade gifts for her grandchildren. Gifts of fabric, clay, paint, wood; there was nothing beyond her imagination. Hazel was compelled to continually create, with multiple crafts being made at any one time.

Hazel lived her life in service to her community and her family; she will always be greatly loved and cherished. Her strength and absolute joy in life will remain with those who knew her, her final and greatest gifts are the memories of the love she so freely shared.

ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation Friday, April 10, 2026, 4:00PM - 6:00PM, Grondin Funeral Home, 177 North Main Street, Rochester, NH 03867