Obituary

Hazel Jo Connally-Benson
July 15, 1929 – June 29, 2024

Hazel Jo Connally-Benson passed away quietly on June 29^th in Lake Forest, California, having been surrounded by her loving family.

Born to Percy Joe and Maxine Florence, Hazel grew up in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas, in simple family accommodations that were always filled with love and devotion.  In her youth, she developed a passion for music and dancing which led to her participation in the Lasso Drill Team and performing as a Drum Majorette of the Drum and Bugle Corps at Thomas Jefferson High School.  While participating in a social dance during orientation at Trinity University, she met Beverly Wayne Connally and knew right away that her life would never be the same.  They were married two years later on April 29, 1949, at Jefferson Methodist Church in San Antonio.

Their next thirty years together brought multiple relocation moves, a combined interest in square dancing, new forever friends, and four precious children.  Established in Southern California as a commercial real estate developer, Wayne believed in hard work and excelled at his position while Hazel spent her days busy with the children.  Wayne’s sudden death in 1980 was a family tragedy, and Hazel suffered terribly.  Never one to be idle, sorrow galvanized Hazel’s generous heart and she began to seek ways in which to help others.  She served as a caregiver and companion to many elderly in local neighborhoods, volunteered with numerous non-profit organizations, and had the chance to minister numerous times in Appalachia. She eventually had the opportunity to work for the Mission Viejo campus of the church she attended, Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, continuing happily there in an administrative role for many years.

Hazel kept herself busy with focus on family, traveling, working, and service, and she definitely loved a good road trip. It was almost a blunder when she realized a regular tennis group partner had asked her on a date in 1994.  Warren “Ben” Benson, also a member at Shepherd of the Hills, became a trusted friend who Hazel, to her own joyful surprise, would eventually fall in love with and marry.  They had 10 wonderful years in which they combined their families and continued to travel the country together.  Unfortunately, in 2005, cancer took Ben from her, and she once again was left to pick up the pieces and move on with life.  She did so with the support and love of her fellow parishioners and her newly expanded family who treasured her.

Hazel bravely chose to move from the small home she shared with Ben into a retirement community in Lake Forest, where she spent the last nine busy and fulfilled years of her life.  There, too, she leaves behind many friends among fellow residents, as well as staff.

Hazel is survived by all four of her beloved children: sons David Wayne (Christina) and Gary Neal (Lorraine), and daughters Donna Lynn (Jane) and Gaylene; grandchildren Jennifer Ann, Erin Elizabeth (Tony), Esther Caitlan, and Rebecca Ruth; and great grandchildren Payton Ailey and Morgan Marie.  She also leaves behind many extended family members who will love and cherish their memories of her.  Hazel touched many lives, and her positivity and warmth will be remembered always.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Hazel’s favorite charities:

American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org

South County Outreach, https://www.sco-oc.org