Hazel Newman Krantz

1920 - 2017

BORN

1920

DIED

2017

Hazel Krantz Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Hazel Newman Krantz
Start: 2017-05-05T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Allnutt Funeral Service

Hazel Newman Krantz

1/29/20 - 4/2/17

Hazel Krantz had an indomitable spirit and lived a full 97 years with curiosity and a giving heart. Her life began in Brooklyn, NY, but she grew up in suburban New Rochelle, where her father was an electrical engineer and her mother was busy with civic activities. She was married for over 50 years to Michael, a World War II veteran, who predeceased her, as did her younger brother, Martin. Hazel loved having meaningful conversations and was always interested in people's stories, which were essential to her career as a writer, with twelve published books for children and young adults (including 100 Pounds of Popcorn, Tippy, and the Secret Raft). After in-depth research on a Navajo reservation, Hazel wrote, She Walks in Beauty, a story of Native Americans.

Along the way, she taught elementary school on Long Island for many years, having achieved a master's degree in education. She raised two children (Larry and Margie) and an adopted son, Vincent. In addition to her children, she leaves behind daughter-in-law, Joyce Krantz, grandchildren Brian, Kerry and Vincent, Jr, as well as great-grandchild, Kassandra.

After retirement, Hazel and her husband, Michael, spent time in Florida and Colorado, before settling full time in Fort Collins, more than 30 years ago. They loved to dance and traveled extensively to places like Spain, Israel, England, Australia, and throughout the United States and Canada.

Hazel was very active in the community, where she was a member of Har Shalom synagogue, hosted exchange students, taught creative writing, was part of the Friendship Force, and a contributing member of Writers for Peace. She was active in interfaith groups and always asked, "Why can't people just get along?"—which is a good question.

Hazel had many loyal friends, who enjoyed her unique expression, humor, varied interests, and keen intellect. She was one of a kind, and will be missed. Anyone who wishes to leave a donation may do so to Pathways Hospice, in her name. A celebration of Hazel's life will be shared at the Allnutt Funeral Service on West Drake Road in Fort Collins, Friday, May 5th, at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook and leave a personal note to the family at www.allnutt.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Coloradoan on Apr. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Hazel Krantz

5 Entries

Matthew Mabey

February 28, 2018

My story is much like Benny's. The Secret Raft was my favorite book as a child. I acquired it from a school book fair. At work, the organization newsletter requested people write with their favorite books from childhood, in celebration of Read Across America. The Secret Raft immediately came to mind, but I didn't recall the author. In looking that up, I discovered this obituary. It appears to be the only thing on the internet about Hazel Krantz.
I will be seeking out her other books. I am sorry I missed the chance to thank her for her gift of The Secret Raft, to me and thousands of other children.

Lee Maynor

January 9, 2018

I was a young boy in S Alabama when I found my great aunt's copy of The Secret Raft. It was always a treat for me to go to her house and try to finish it before my parents finished with their visit. I read quickly for my age, but always looked forward to seeing how fast I could get through it whenever we visited, and I must have read that story at least three dozen times before I was 13. My great aunt eventually caught on to how much the book meant to me, and made it a gift, but couldn't know that the anticipation and separation had made it even more special all those years. Looking back a few years later, I realized how much my ability to read quickly and thoroughly stemmed from that book, not to mention my appetite for books in general. I took honors English classes in high school, and could have done so much sooner: my parents were told that I had a tenth grade reading level when I was in second... maybe third grade, but my mother thought such a jump would be detrimental to my social growth. I spent most of my time in English class reading Stephen King, Carl Sagan, Piers Anthony and others, while my classmates grumbled about the chapter or two they were forced to read out of MacMillan literature books. Reading has never been a happy exercise for many kids in Deep South Dixie, so my mother's fear for my social isolation came about in a different way. Nobody likes the kid who makes a class look easy while they struggle through. My greatest friends had strong spines though, as all good books do. I spent time with heroes and villains, prophets and leaders, kings and monsters, rather than the shallow pool of personality my classmates dipped their toes into.

You may wonder why I'm spending time bragging about myself in an obituary, but you see: I'm not. None of my joy in books would have been possible were it not for Ms Krantz. A couple years ago after I realized I didn't own the book anymore, lost to time and travel, I sought out Hazel Krantz on the internet, eventually finding her address, and even a phone number. I didn't call, as I was afraid I'd bother her with my childish fandom over a book I was many years past reading. I thought I'd get around to writing her a short fan letter one day, maybe a card of thanks, rather than try calling a stranger out of the blue. Now, though, I sit here, back in Alabama, to take care of my terminally ailing mother after spending time living in Mississippi and finding a home in California. I've been going through her things in preparation for her passing, and I found that old, worn copy tucked away in my bookshelf, like it was waiting for my return. I thought tonight I'd look up that number again, and tomorrow I'd call, just to let her know how much she changed my life and how much she made me enjoy reading.
And so I found the news of her passing, and this website, and the knowledge that I waited a bit too long. In passing, Hazel Krantz taught me one final thing about stories: that they all end, and you can never be sure when the story will close and the last few pages will be empty leaves to keep you from knowing how much longer you have. I'm going to try to spend some extra quality time with my mother while she's here in honor of that knowledge, and wanted to leave these words of thanks to Hazel for being a great friend and teacher, though we never met. Her family was a lucky one to have her, and I know they must have loved her. I want them to know I did, too, and appreciate her sharing herself with a little boy who dreamed of rafts, secret places, and scientific mysteries. I'm going to go look after my mom, now. I think... I think I might read The Secret Raft to her, if she'd like that.

Goodbye Hazel. I wish I could have told you how much you mean to me.

-Benny Lee Maynor Jr

Bob & Shareen Ewing

May 4, 2017

We remember well Hazel's vibrant Spirit and zest for Life! What an amazing legacy and family...

Our loving greetings to all her family and friends,

Bob & Shareen Ewing

Linda Kinsel

May 3, 2017

Hazel was such a wonderful person! We shared a passion for children's books, and Hazel also was a mentor as my husband and I raised our children, both adopted and homegrown. My condolences for your loss.

Cinda Clark

April 12, 2017

Dear Joyce and Larry,

We will miss Hazel's joy and zest for life. Our condolences to you on your loss.

Larry and Cinda Clark,
Friendship Force

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