Obituary: Hazel Lorene McConkey
For The Madera Tribune
Hazel Lorene McConkey.
Hazel Lorene McConkey, age 89 of Brookings, Oregon passed away Jan. 8, 2023, in her home with her daughter, Vicki and son in law Keith, joining her Lord and Savior, whom she served all her life. She was born May 8, 1933, to Loy and Orbie Doughty in Marysville, Texas.
Hazel lived in Madera for 50 years prior to moving to Oregon with her daughter and son-in-law and transitioned well to her new coastal home. She made friends easily wherever she went with her bright smile.
She was a member of the Madera County Board of Education for 14 years. She proudly served for children’s education unselfishly, and wanted to help the generations to come. She also worked on the election board for many years. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in their RV, enjoyed playing games and loving on her grandchildren.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas McConkey, her son-in-law, Bert Neuenschwander, her mother and father, Loy and Orbie Doughty and her sisters, Margie Silcox and Pauline Campbell. She is survived by her daughters Sandi Neuenschwander of Delano, Minnesota, and Vicki Crawford and son-in-law, Keith of Brookings, Oregon. Her grandchildren, Chip Neuenschwander of Delano, Minnesota, and Becky Masog and Matt of Delano, Minnesota, Jacob Neufeld of Grover Beach California, BrittAny Neufeld of Madera, California, and Jill Neufeld of Charleston, South Carolina. Her great grandsons, Owen, Emmett and Cole Masog. Her siblings, Lois Holcombe and Hurly from Lake Isabella, California, Robert Doughty and Sharon from Visalia, California, and many great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at Holiday Inn Express banquet room on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 1 p.m. in Madera. Come, celebrate this beautiful, Godly woman’s life with family and friends. Memories including pictures, momentos and stories will be shared.
Interment at their family plot for both Hazel and her husband Tom, who will also be receiving an Air Force memorial with full honors, will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa, on May 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. Family and friends are all invited.
If so, desired donations can be made in honor of Hazel to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
