Hazel Petrocco (1921-2003)

PETROCCO

Posted By: Padriag (email)
Date: 3/10/2008 at 12:35:16

In Memory: Hazel Petrocco

Hazel Felton Petrocco, died May 10, 2003. She was a loving woman who devoted her life to her family, her friends and her community. The "lady with the stylish hats" was known as a leader in public education at the local, state, national and international levels.

Hazel was a master teacher who specialized in early childhood development. She served as a pioneer in gaining recognition for teachers in educational decision making.

Hazel was born on June 25, 1921 in Neola, Iowa to James E. and Edith Felton (deceased). She graduated from the University. of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) and Colorado State Teachers College (now UNC), then taught in Iowa and Illinois before moving to Colorado in 1947.

Mrs. Petrocco was an employee of Pueblo School District 60 for more than 30 years, teaching at Carlile, Beulah Heights and Sunset Park Elementary Schools. After retiring from teaching, she was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education, serving as the Third Congressional District Representative from 1991 to 1997.

Hazel was a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year in 1971 and received the Colorado Teacher of the Year Special Recognition Award in 1986. In 1971, she received the University of Northern Colorado Alumni Association Outstanding Woman Educator award. Hazel received several awards for her political activities.

The Colorado Education Association established "The Hazel F. Petrocco Women's Leadership Award" in 1986 and Hazel was the first recipient of that award. The honor continues to be awarded annually, in Hazel's name, to a woman educational leader in the state of Colorado.

Mrs. Petrocco served as president of the Colorado State Classroom Teachers. She served as a director on the Board of the Colorado Education Association intermittently between 1969 and 1991. Hazel represented Colorado on the Board of the national Education Association from 1969 through 1976. Locally, she belonged to A.A.U.W., Delta Kappa Gamma, Diocese of Pueblo Council for Catholic Women (Legislative Chairmen), Handweavers Guild of Pueblo, Assistance League of Pueblo, and Beta Sigma Phi (Beta Chapter).

She received the Pueblo Distinguished Teacher Award (1985) and the Women's History Week Woman of the Year Award.

Hazel and her husband, Frank, were honored as the Pueblo County Democrats of the Year in 2002.

Hazel is survived by her husband Frank, to whom she was married for 56 years. She is also survived by her children: Mona (Bill Klein, of Colorado Springs; Victoria (Mike) Winterscheidt, of Greenwood Village; and F. Mario (Sandy) Petrocco, of San Diego, California; five grandchildren: Marcena, Pete and Hank Winterscheidt; Anna and Olivia Petrocco; and her brother James L. (Darlene) Felton; of Neola.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Merkert and a brother Lynn E. Felton.

Memorials may be made in her memory to Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care; Assistance League of Pueblo Scholarship or School Bell funds; Beta Chapter-Beta Sigma Phi Community Project Fund; Shrine of St. Therese C.C.W. Project Fund.

Services were held Tuesday and Funeral Mass Wednesday, with Most Reverend Arthur Tafoya officiating at the Shrine of St. Therese.

Entombment was at Roselawn Mausoleum.

Gazette
May 15, 2003