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Obituary
Hazel Kelley McCuen, a seventy-nine year resident of Bakersfield, died October 30, 2008, at her home in Rosewood Retirement Community. She was one hundred and one years old. A graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Mortuary, River Boulevard at 12 p.m. on November 15, 2008. Hazel McCuenwas born on July 17, 1907, in Grass Valley, CA to John Louis and Mary Leek Kelley. She spent most of her childhood in several small towns in Plumas County andattended high school in Lincoln and Stockton, CA, graduating in 1924. She attended College of the Pacific (now University of the Pacific) and received a BA in 1928. She then attended Stanford University and received an MA degree in 1929. She came to Bakersfield to teach at Kern County Union High School (now BakersfieldHigh School) in 1929, and married fellow teacher Theron McCuen in 1930 at the Stanford Memorial Chapel. They honeymooned in British Columbia and returned therein 1979 with their children to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. In 1998, on the 70th anniversary of her college graduation, she was invited to the commencement exercises at the University of the Pacific where she was recognized for her numerous achievements as a student. While Hazel raised her family, she still remained active in the community. She continued with some teaching, worked during the Depression for the State Relief Authority helping poor families, and was an early continuous supporter of the Bakersfield Child Guidance Clinic. She had a deep belief in the need to help those less fortunate than she. She was a sixty-two year member of PEO Sisterhood, Chapter HY and also AAUW. Her seventy-seven year membership at the First Congregational Church meant a great deal to her.She shared her husband Theron's love of the out-of-doors with regular family outings to Lake Tahoe and Tuolomme Meadows in Yosemite National Park. After retirement, she and Theron spent long annual visits to her beloved Plumas County whereher grandparents are buried. She was a scholar all her life. She did not just read extensively, she studied what she read and loved to discuss it. She was always eager to learn new things. Her children learned from her that any task, largeor small, must be done to the best of one's ability. Mixed with this serious side was her Irish love of humor and laughter. Her favorite story tellers were herchildren and grandchildren. She is survived by her son John T. McCuen of Auburn,CA, a retired college president, and daughter-in-law Sharon McCuen; daughter Martha Miller of Bakersfield, a retired elementary school teacher, and son-in-lawDouglas Miller. Her seven grandchildren are Julie Grover of Westlake Village, CA, John McCuen of San Jose, Costa Rica, Patrick McCuen of Sacramento, Pamela Rittner of Boston, MA, Michael Miller of Bakersfield, Melissa Brown of Bakersfield,and Megan Kempner of Dixon, CA. Great-grandchildren are Shannon, Caitlin and Molly Grover of Westlake Village, Kelley and Scott McCuen of Sacramento, and Cara Rittner of Boston, MA. She was predeceased by her husband, Theron, in 1996, her son, Peter, in 1999, and her brother, John Tryon Kelley, in 1997. Arrangements are being handled by Greenlawn Mortuary. Those who wish to make memorial donationsmay send them to the First Congregational Church or to the charity of their choice. Thank you to Hoffmann Hospice and the staff of Rosewood Health Center for their patient, loving care. Hazel McCuen 1907 - 2008
Published in Bakersfield Californian on November 9, 2008
Seán
Sloane Johnson
