MARION WATT HAZEN 1949-2021

Mrs. Marion Watt Hazen went to be home with the Lord on Monday, January 18, 2021, at the age of 71 in Houston, Texas. She was born on December 21, 1949 in Evergreen Park, Illinois to William and Marie Watt.

Marion had a passion to help others of all ages - especially children - and was tireless in her volunteer efforts. Although she had obtained a doctorate and had begun a career in the field of biological cell research, she instead chose to pursue this path of giving full-time and dedicated herself faithfully to the service of others. Marion worked in the Preschool Ministry at Houston’s First Baptist Church for 40 years, where she delighted in sharing the Word with young hearts and held several positions of leadership. She also worked in the Girl Scouts for more than 30 years, from serving as her daughters’ troop leader to becoming the highest-level volunteer for her Council. In addition, she sponsored 8 foreign exchange students in our home, most of whom lived with us for their entire school year. Marion loved sharing cultures and was also formative in the shaping of their lives.

Marion is survived by her husband Gary, her sister Wilma, brother David, her two daughters, Amy and Becky, and four grandchildren, Avery, Lilly, Noah, and Evelyn.

Marion graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1967, earned BS and MS degrees in Biology from University of Illinois Circle in 1971 and 1974, and a PHD in Cell Biology from the University of Texas Health Science School of Biomedical Science in 1978. She went on to work as a post-doctoral contributor in cell research at Baylor College of Medicine.

Marion was married to Gary Hazen in 1976 and they had two daughters, Amy and Becky. After their first child Amy was born in 1980, Marion decided to change her focus from Cell Biology to raising and working with children, serving as volunteer at Church, School and Girl Scouts. Marion was the love of Gary’s life for 45 years.

The Celebration of Life Service for Marion Hazen will be held on Monday, February 22nd, 2021 at the First Baptist Church’s Chapel (7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024). The service will start at 11:00 AM. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be directed to the First Baptist Church Preschool Ministry or the Girl Scouts’ San Jacinto Council (Houston area).