Hazel I. Coatsworth's Obituary
Hazel Irene Coatsworth (Schoepf), 95, a 54-year resident of Tucson, died at home on November 28, 2014. Hazel married John E. Coatsworth (deceased) January 4, 1942 in Spencer, SD. They celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Visitation will be held at Evergreen Mortuary, 3015 N. Oracle Road, on Thursday, December 11, from 3:30 – 7:30 pm.
A memorial service will be held at Saguaro Christian Church, 8302 E. Broadway Blvd., December 12, at 10:00 am with Rev. Owen Chandler officiating.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to caregivers and friends, Sue Myers and Ted Mester.
Hazel was born near Fulton, SD, on March 3, 1919, the daughter of William and Ruby (Simmons) Schoepf. She married John Edgar Coatsworth (deceased). To this union six children were born.
Survivors include children, Theresa (Stewart) Bagwell, Bill Coatsworth, David (Rebecca Dickinson) Coatsworth, Melanie Alexander, Wendy (Bob Simon) Young and Cindy (Eddie) Lewis; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Juanita (Russell) Ediger, Jeanette (Harold) Bartlett and Cynthia (Larry) Roster; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by brothers Merle Schoepf, Elzie (Pat Zeisler) Schoepf, Jack (Edna) Schoepf, Edward Schoepf, Mervin (Roberta) Schoepf, and sisters Georgia (Wayne) Ediger, Jeanne (Norris) Palmer.
Hazel graduated from Spencer High School, and then in 1942, from South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD, with a B.S. in Home Economics Education. She earned her M.Ed. at the University of Arizona. She taught Home Economics, Science and English in South Dakota and Iowa. For 10 years Hazel taught English and then Home Economics at Pueblo High School, becoming Department Chair. She not only taught day classes but also adult night classes. Recognized for her leadership and innovations in education Hazel was selected as the Coordinator of Home Economics for Tucson Unified School District. Hazel cooperated with the Arizona Department of Education and the University of Arizona School of Home Economics in a number of ways.
She was a member of the Curriculum Development Team that produced curriculum guides in nutrition and food, child development, housing and consumer education and management. She was also one of the developers of the Handbook for Cooperating/Supervising Teachers in Vocational Education for the Arizona Department of Education. Her contributions showed unusual insight into the student teacher-supervising teacher-university supervisor relationship and enriched the finished product. Hazel was honored by her peers in Arizona with the Leaders Professional Achievement Award and the Hall of Fame Award. Hazel was recognized in the summer 1984 edition of the “Journal of Home Economics” magazine as one of the nation’s 75 leader, described as a “dedicated professional making continual contributions as teacher and program contributor.”
In 1987 she received the Established Leader Award from the American Home Economics Association on the occasion of AHEAs 75th Anniversary. In 2003 Hazel was recognized as a true FRIEND of professionals and families in the city of Tucson and the state of Arizona by The Council of Alumni and Friends of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Hazel was an active leader for decades in Park Avenue Christian Church where her husband was the minister from 1960-1982. Beyond his 1982 retirement Hazel continued to work in the church until it closed in 2012. She planned and organized church dinners, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, led youth groups, served as a member of the board and as church trustee, and performed many other tasks as needed. She was a member of the Pueblo Optimist Club and for years volunteered as a Master Consumer Advisor for Pima County Cooperative Extension Service. Hazel was also a member of the Phi Delta Kappa, Pima County School Retirees' Association and All Arizona School Retiree Association.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following charities which Mom supported:
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Tucson Community Food Bank
https://secure3.convio.net/cfbsa/site/Donation2?df_id=3800&3800.donation=form1
Double your gift. A generous donor of the Community Food Bank has set up a Matching Gift Challenge and offered to match every dollar donated before December 31.
With your "doubled" generosity every $10 you give will provide 80 meals to families, children and seniors in need.
Arizona’s charitable tax credit allows you to earn a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, on your Arizona state return. http://communityfoodbank.com/Donate/Charitable-Tax-Credit
Mailing Address:
3003 S Country Club Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85713 -
National Multiple Sclerosis Society (two of her children, Cindy & Melanie have MS)
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/AZAWalkEvents?px=5949275&pg=personal&fr_id=25292
You can make a donation at the website above, in memory of Mom (Hazel), or sponsor her granddaughter’s (April’s) 2015 MS Walk by visiting this website or writing a check to the NMSS and providing it to a family member.
Mailing Address:
5025 E. Washington St., Suite 102
Phoenix, AZ 85035 -
Gospel Rescue Mission ~ http://grmtucson.com/donate/ways
To become the most effective life changing ministry in Tucson that serves the homeless and needy by providing for their spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental wholeness through the power of Jesus Christ.
Mailing Address:
707 W. Miracle Mile
Tucson, AZ 85705 -
Heifer International ~ http://www.heifer.org/
Heifer International's mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth.
Mailing Address:
Heifer International
1 World Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72202
What’s your fondest memory of Hazel?
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