Hazel Alice (Walker) Hays (2002)

HAYS, BLUNK, MARTIN, HEITZMAN, THOMAS

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 7/11/2006 at 16:21:40

The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego, California
Sunday, February 10, 2002

Hazel Alice Hays, Born January 9, 1900, in Des Moines, IA, she slipped into the next world on January 11th at Scripps two days after celebrating 102 years. A daughter, Monica, and two dear friends, Jo King and Dorothy Lamperelli, stayed by her side her last two days and nights. They, a grandson, Mike VanDiver of Palo Alto, CA, and Dale Pearson, a long-time favorite who "made her day" by coming to play for her and help blow out candles, admire huge red roses and a big card signed by many friends at Kellys Steak House where they've celebrated her the last seven years.

Although very ill from bronchitis, she softly sang along on "Abba Dabba Dabba". A beautiful lady, both in and out, she was blessed with a tremendous gift for enjoying life. An artist, businesswoman and dedicated wife and mother of six, she loved beauty and all of life. Through depressions, wars, good times and in-betweens, her life brimmed over. I'm sure God is glad he invited her here, as are her children, and theirs, and theirs!

Three of her six counted five generations. Five of her six children survive her: Monica Blunk of Los Altos, CA, Elsie and James Martin of Grosse Point Woods, MI, Stephen and Nadine Hays of Morongo Valley, CA, Betty Heitzman of Elk City, ID and Barbara Thomas of San Diego, CA.

Her beloved son, Glenn Hays, died in 1998. He once took her around the world. She left eighty blood descendants plus spouses and families.

She married Harry G. Hays, a student at Iowa State and ROTC Captain, in 1916 and they raised their happy family in Winterset, IA. He was a scholar and visionary and too far ahead of his time, working on co-ops and pre-fabs in the twenties. He also owned an appliance store. In 1930, a pioneer businesswoman, Hazel opened a flower shop, helped organize the "F.T.D.", was politically active and a devoted wife and mother. In 1942, with their 2 sons and 4 son-in-laws in uniform, Harry organized the Scrap Iron Drive for the State of Iowa, and then moved to San Diego to "help the war efforts" at Ryan and Convair. Hazel worked at the Grant Hotel Flower Shop. In 1945, they bought a big old redwood house right on the ocean in Pacific Beach. Harry died in 1955, but it remained Hazel's beloved home.

Until last year, she loved to sit by her big front window with ocean rolling on her left and rolling (in a mirrored wall) on her right and wave to friends passing on the Boardwalk. Then, several times a week, she'd dress up and go out to enjoy live music and friends. All this between hosting scads of family and friends. Since 1995, Kelly's Steak House has thrown a big party with candled cake and champagne to toast her years. A dear friend always brought one glorious long-stemmed red rose for EACH year of her life. Awesome! Albie's, Dona Cote` at The Light House and Ken Kiser at much-missed Milligan's in La Jolla also toasted her birthdays. She loved them all and brightened many her with her delight, proving its never too late to enjoy. This year Kellys celebrated for her birthday the weekend before and "celebrated her life" the weekend after January 9th. Her family offers their heartfelt thanks!

Her ashes drifted from a sailing ship off San Diego on Friday, February 1st into the ocean she loved. Dear friends, please dedicate your next "random act of kindness" or special moment of joy to Hazel. Shell like that.
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Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Ia.
Wednesday, March 6, 2002

Hazel A. Hays, California

Hazel Alice Hays, 102, of Pacific Beach, Calif., died Jan. 11, 2002. Her cremains were scattered Friday, Feb. 1, into the Pacific Ocean from a sailing ship near San Diego.

Hazel Hays was born Jan. 9, 1900 in Des Moines. She married Harry G. Hays, a student and ROTC captain at Iowa State university in 1916. They raised their family in Winterset. In 1930, Hazel opened a flower shop and helped organize "FTD". In 1942, they moved to San Diego "to help with the war effort." In San Diego, she worked at the Grant Hotel Flower Shop.

She was preceded in death by her husband and a son.

She is survived by four daughter, Monica Blunk of Los Altos, Calif., Elsie Martin (husband James) of Grosse Point Woods, Mich., Betty Heitzman of Elk City, Idaho, and Barbara Thomas of San Diego, Calif.; a son, Stephen Hays (wife Nadine) of Morongo Valley, Calif.; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

As a memorial her family requests that you dedicate your next random act of kindness or special moment of joy to Hazel.