Hazel May Schiavo-Campo

Dr. Hazel May McFerson Schiavo-Campo, Professor Emerita at the Schar School of Public Policy at George Mason University, died on February 27, 2021, at her home in Silver Spring, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Born in Boston on May 15, 1942, she grew up in the Orchard Park Housing Project in Roxbury. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Salvatore Schiavo-Campo; her children, Rino, Pia, and Mara; her grandchildren, Jianna, Rino Vittorio, Maria, Chiara, Nina, Cruz, and Paolo; and her great-grandson, Jadyn; and her niece Dina and nephew Dana.

Hazel was raised in the Baptist church and maintained a strong Christian faith throughout her life. For someone who had so little growing up, she gave so much of herself to others, citing that God had blessed her and she in turn needed to bless others. Many referred to her as “Mama Hazel” because she mothered everyone. She cared about people’s stories and found common ground wherever in the world she was. Whether bantering with the supermarket butcher, or chatting it up with Anthony Bourdain at Bistro Les Halles in NYC, or arguing with other professors, she could strike up a conversation with anyone at any time on any subject.

In addition to her pioneering scholarly pursuits, Hazel was passionate about cooking and travel. A self-taught cook with a remarkable ability to recreate authentic recipes from Italy to India - places she’d visited many times - she nurtured those around her with superb meals. Whether Southern mac-n-cheese or Sicilian arancini, all the food she made was Soul Food. Having been married to a native Italian for over 50 years meant lots of travel to Italy, immersing herself into the culture and learning the language partly through food, particularly in the street markets of Palermo in the 1980s and 1990s.

Hazel had a quirky wit and was fond of impressions. We remember her wonderful laugh with much affection. The impact she had on people will carry on in the memories and stories of all those she touched, from Boston and Washington to Rome, Suva, Mogadishu, Manila and elsewhere.