Hazel Hagan

Sweet Hazel D. Hagan joined family and friends in a much better place on October 4, 2023. Born in 1927 in southern Illinois, she embraced many changes in her lifetime with a spirit of adventure. Hazel was married to Lowell Hagan for 62 years. Together, they moved 19 times around the country in pursuit of Lowell's career goals. At each new place, Hazel quickly made friends, joined a church, and created a home for the five of us. To say she was a woman of all seasons would be an understatement. In each chapter of her life, she found new talents and adventures. She was an excellent cook and could arrange flowers with the best of them. She sewed, quilted, crocheted, poured ceramics, painted walls, and recovered furniture. Even well into her 90s, she actively participated in water aerobics at the YMCA and called bingo for the "old" people at the nursing home. Hazel always sought opportunities to give back and be active within the community. She was honored to serve as a Pink Lady for Lane Memorial Hospital. Hazel also joined Community Gardeners in the 1970s, where she held every office and served as president multiple times. She was an avid gardener and likely raised more vegetables in her compost pile than many folks raise in their gardens. Hazel loved adventures. If someone said go, Hazel said yes. She once joked that she kept extra underwear in a brown paper bag so she would always be ready! She and her beloved sister, Jenny, told their husbands they were going to make memories to last a lifetime - just the two of them. Hazel and Jenny did just that during their solo Alaskan cruise and trip to Hawaii. The memories they created during these trips will continue to give our family reasons to laugh for years to come. Hazel was committed to her church, Baker Church of Christ and then Comite Church of Christ, where she found unwavering strength and support. She deeply cherished the fellowship offered and lifelong friendships she built here. While Hazel was quite busy, she was never too busy to play with her children, which included the neighborhood kids. The kids would knock on our door and ask Mrs. Hazel to play jacks. Never one to turn down a challenge, she would roll back the rugs and we would play for hours. With all her achievements, activities, and contributions, she was most proud of providing our little family with laughter, support, and love. Through her calming presence, she was a pillar of our family and instilled these values in a manner that will continue for generations.

Hazel is survived by her daughters Connie Denicola, Carol Ellis (Paul), and Peggy Pitre; and her much-loved grandchildren Andrew (Ashela), Katie (Elliott), Emily, and Chloe (Mike). She is also survived by great grandchildren Ethan, Maddie, Kennon, Lane, and Fiona.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lowell Hagan; son Philip Hagan; grandson Philip "Rusty" Hagan; and son-in-law Vic Denicola.

Many thanks to Dr. Gene Thompson for providing 40 years of care, Cardinal Hospice for their amazing assistance and Always Best Care for the love and compassion they showed during Hazel's time of need.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for the visitation at Baker Funeral Home, 6401 Groom Road, Baker, LA, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 10:00AM until the funeral service at 11:00AM. The graveside service and burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Baker, LA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Comite Church of Christ or Baton Rouge Food Bank.