Velah Mary Hazard,100, of Worcester died Sunday, October 11th at home surrounded by her family. She leaves her daughter, Bessie Hazard, MD with whom she lived, an adoptive daughter, Cynthia McMullen of Paxton; her brother Earl T. Morrow of Arkansas; two grandchildren, Bryan McMullen and Meredith McMullen Richardson, MD, three great-grandchildren, William B. Richardson, Elizabeth Z. Richardson, and Caroline A. Richardson, who shared her birthday with her Grandma Ve. She leaves many nieces and nephews.
Three nieces, Kim Morrow, MS; Leah Hazard and Persis Brown, and a dear friend Kathy Giarusso, were invaluable to her care.
Nancy Said, MD, (retired) and Antonios Mouzakis, MD, NP Farancisca Adams, RNs Jackie Witkowski, Martha Nganga, and Rhapsody Home Nursing Services team, Winifred Awuah, Helen Baffour, and CNA Cecelia Adugyamfi, and made up the team directly involved in her care.
Velah Hazard was predeceased by her parents William and Bessie Morrow, and 8 of her 10 siblings, George, William, James, Randall, Lucinda, Pearl, Della and Georgia (who passed just last month).
She was born in Turner, Arkansas, to William Henry, Sr. and Bessie (Heron) Morrow, and devoted much of her life to education, hard work and inspiring generations of students. She graduated from Eliza Miller High School in Helena, Arkansas, and went on to graduate from Tuskegee Institute, class of 1949. She later earned her Master's degree from Worcester State College in 1966.
Velah would return to her high school alma mater to begin her teaching career, before making Worcester her home. She taught Home Economics at Doherty Memorial High School for more than 35 years retiring in 1998. Teaching was her lifelong passion. She loved her students and took tremendous pride in their achievements, maintaining relationships with many of them long after they left her classroom. One of her students, Sharon Diaz, was in touch with her up to the night she died.
Throughout her life, Velah possessed an extraordinary work ethic. She held several jobs for many years while teaching full time, including teaching at Ionic and Lincoln Square Boys Club and the YWCA. She was had with a strong sense of determination and purpose. She was also rightfully proud of her many accomplishments. Many will remember her for her individuality and confidence.
She loved her home in Worcester and was a faithful member of Adams Square Congregational church under the direction of Rev. George Seale for many years.
One of the many special honors of Velah's remarkable life came on her 100th birthday, when she was presented with the Key to the City Of Worcester, at her home, by Mayor Joseph Petty in recognition of her longevity, accomplishments and contributions to the community, with her dear friend Councilman Moe Bergman and his wife Wendy Bergman MD in attendance, and Bao and Phuong of the EggRoll and Fish Lady Restaurant and Tom and Mary Blanchard of Westminster, MA .
Funeral services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tuskegee University Scholarship Fund, Tuskegee , AL, St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, MemphisTN 38105, or The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, aspca.org.