Hazel Briceno was born in Morne Diable, Trinidad, West Indies on December 7, 1956 to James and Elsa Briceno. She was the second of their four children and is survived by her older sister Janette Briceno of Stoughton, MA, her younger brother Anthony Briceno of Randolph MA and her youngest sister Leera Briceno Setalsingh of Milton, MA.

Hazel grew up in Morne Diable where she attended elementary school.

She was blessed to have an entire village that knew her by name and loved her like family. Her high school years were at Fyzabad Intermediate/Secondary School and after migrating to the United States in 1979, Hazel continued her tertiary education part-time at Northeastern University majoring in accounting, while working full time. Upon completion of her bachelor's degree, she pursued an MBA at UMass, Boston in Accounting and Business Management from 1985-1990.

On March 23, 1995 Hazel married Robert Flagg. The two were a match made in heaven.  They traveled the world extensively and have a large magnet collection to prove it.

Hazel and Bob worked alongside each other at Urban Edge, and they developed their own business, Evergreen Accounting Services for approximately four years.  Hazel later went on to work at a number of non-profit organizations, and most recently as the Director of Accounting for the Department of Transitional Assistance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Hazel belonged to a few community groups including:

Life Member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club with leadership roles at the national level as Director of Finance and Director of Membership; and locally at The Boston & Vicinity Chapter  which no longer exists as an active chapter of the organization. She had many friends there.

Long-serving member of The Church of St Augustine and St Martin, serving on the Vestry as Treasurer and providing financial guidance for many years.

Board member of BOCA – Boston Oil Consumer Alliance (now Green Energy Consumers Alliance) for a few years.

Hazel was a loving and dedicated wife to Bob. They were there for each other through every exciting adventure and through every challenge. Hazel had a remarkable way of connecting with people. While she was not active on social media, she took great pride in engaging people on a personal level and found creative ways to serve others personally, professionally and in the community on a voluntary basis. Even though Hazel had no children of her own, she was considered like a mother to all the children in the family. She was the aunt who stepped up whenever there was a need for help with childcare. She had a natural ability to share love and kindness with others and they loved her in return.

Hazel and Bob were both avid travelers visiting over forty-five countries and they enjoyed delving into the cultures of the places they visited. Their most recent cruise in June 2023 took them to Israel, the Greek Isles (Rhodes, Santorini and Cyprus). Previous travels took them to Canada, Russia, Israel, Jamaica, South Africa, Namibia, Norway, Iceland, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Greece, Italy, Peru, Chile, Panama, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Croatia, Denmark, Montenegro, Malta, Spain, France, Monaco, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Belize, St. Lucia, St. Marten, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Antigua, Barbados, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Mexico, Portugal, Aruba, Curacao, Martinique and the Vatican City.

In 1990 - 91, Hazel had her slice of television fame, when she became a new homeowner in Jamaica Plain, MA and her triple decker was selected for renovations by This Old House TV series. Season 12 started on September 1, 1990, and it featured Hazel and the renovation crew getting to work on the project that culminated with a beautiful, newly renovated show house that was open to the public for a while. Whenever the series aired, phone calls were coming in from family and friends everywhere who recognized her and wanted to share their excitement. Since the show was aired on national television, Hazel received calls from strangers across the country, who were fans of the show, complimenting her about the project. This continued long after the show ended.

Hazel leaves behind a long list of friends and relatives who mourn her passing. This includes her loving husband, Robert Flagg and her mother, Elsa Briceno.

Siblings: Janette Briceno, Anthony  Briceno and Leera Briceno Setalsingh

Aunts: Cynthia Popplewell and Joyce Rodriguez

Brother-in-law: Karrol Setalsingh

Sister-in-law: Debra Briceno

Nieces and nephews: Kevin Jackson & Jevayne Jackson; Ayne Briceno, Rayna Briceno Minors & Damian Hypolite; Christina Setalsingh, Shane Setalsingh, Savonne Setalsingh & Alani Setalsingh

Cousins: Charles, Annette (Joan), Cheryl (Gail), Claudia (Debra), Claudette (Debbie), Karen & Karlene; Dennis (Kerry), Lorna & Zerin, Lydia & Ademaro, Lynette & Glynn, Joe & Megan, Rhiana & Ian, June, Patsy, Orlando & Lennox; Davion & Avryl; Maria, Allison, Fran & Kenty; Valerie, Nazerine, Marjorie, Evelyn & Ruby; Daysha, Kandace, Annette; Antonia, Franklin, Scotty; Henry, Johnny, David, Celia, Judy, Josephine, Marceline; Keisha, Lisa & Ryan, and many more.

Great aunt of:  Savanna & Maddox Jackson; Ayne Julien, Amina and Nova Briceno; Nala, Nia & Ajana Minors; Amonnay, Damian & Donye Harrison; Khary, Malia & Sajan

Other Relatives: Dolores DaSilva, Patrick Alexander, Lydia Benoit & Heather Rizzo

Hazel's warm smile and generous heart will be sorely missed by her family members and all others who knew and loved her.  She was rooted in her spiritual commitment to her love of the Lord, and we are confident that her soul has been returned to his loving care. Amen.