Hazen Crete Wilson

She was surrounded by those who loved her most, her sister, Aprill Wilson-Donahue (husband John Donahue), her niece, Tara Cottle (husband Jason Cottle), and her beloved, Jerrold Haire. Her great-niece, Wren Cottle (aged 3), remained at home, but was still eager and able to tell her how much she loved her, and we have no doubt that she heard.

In her mind, she had a standing appointment waiting for her to meet her late son, Anthony “Tony” Gioia, her late parents, Charles and Dorothy Wilson, and her absolute pride and joy, Mia, a very spoiled puggle, who had been waiting for her in the next life for long enough.

As one of the three “Wilson Women”, Hazen modeled a unique and brazen wildness over the course of her life. She served in the US Army, and never to stay in one place for long, she made her home in West Virginia, Germany, Hawaii, Michigan, and finally, North Carolina. She once spent a good portion of a year in a Buddhist monastery to search her soul. She cared for those around her, supplying food to those who needed it, driving friends to and from appointments, all while being a kind and open ear, when needed. She loved her family, and her family very much loved her.

As we now come to terms with her passing, her niece (as she writes this) swears that she still hears her specific laugh, coming from somewhere. The Wilson Women once three, are now two, and the world feels different.

As a request from her family, take a moment to think of her. She was a sister, aunt, great-aunt, mother, daughter, hippie, beloved, and devil-may-care force of pure energy. Think of her when you’re doing something wild, or when you’re snuggling your dog. She’d love both.