Hazel Elizabeth Franklin

Hazel E. Franklin, on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 of Arlington, Virginia. Hazel Franklin was born in Atlanta GA, but moved to Washington DC at the age of 2. She was a graduate of Central High School, now Cardoza High School in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. As a young woman, she met James Denny Franklin and the two enrolled in law school together at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University. They were married in 1932 and earned their law degrees together in 1933. The next few decades were filled with moving to Arlington, VA, raising three wonderful children: Jay, Richard and Debby, and settling into life at Washington Golf and Country Club where she was active in tennis and bridge. Hazel never missed an opportunity to organize a social event, and is given credit for founding the early women’s tennis program at WGCC as well as a mixed-doubles Friday tennis social which finished with cocktails at their home weekly. She was widowed in 1985, but continued to fill her life with family and friends, bridge and travel. She was a social pillar in her neighborhood Riverwood Citizens Association, and a beloved founding member of the Arlington Go-Go Girls: widows dedicated to travelling the globe in style. She was a generous benefactor and member of the Northern Virginia Assistance League, and a founding member of Arlington Hospital, now the Virginia Hospital Center. Even in her last years at The Jefferson, she entertained the residents and staff with her witty one-liners and charming grin. Beloved wife of the late James D. Franklin; loving mother of Jay D. Franklin & the late Patricia, Richard J. Franklin and his wife Jane, and Deborah Franklin Light; devoted grandmother of Kimberly Trundle, Devin Franklin, Elizabeth Wall, Richard Franklin, Jr., Ashley Viola and Charlotte Light. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren. Hazel was preceded in death by her grandson, Dennis and former son-in-law, Richard Light. A memorial service will be held at St. Mary Episcopal Church, 2609 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, 1 pm , on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Parking is available across Glebe Road. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to VITAS Hospice, 1604 Spring Hill Rd., #450, Vienna, VA 22182.