Hazel Loure Koenig

My memories of Hazel are rich with fun and laughter. Shopping, shopping, shopping and cafes, cafes and cafes. We went on many treks together. Trains, planes and boats. Chelan, Washington D.C., New York City and Boston.

There was a truly perfect day in Nassau on our way to Miami. We remembered the magic of the day together for years afterwards.
And there was our last trip to Phoenix, San Francisco and Sausalito. Our imaginations feasted on everything from the amazing stone...

Just read of Hazel's passing. So many memories of lunches at Hazel and Ramona's, art events at School or in Bellevue, the cat she had me "sit" for a couple of weeks who stayed for years. Her home a work of art itself. Indeed, Hazel was a work of art and enriched and "colored" so many of our lives.

Hazel, what are we going to do with the kid? You will always be in my heart.

Hazel Koenig had a brilliant sense of design, a strong and stubborn mind, and a sharp, quiet wit. Through my mother's long friendship with her starting in the "Hazel and Ramona" days, I came to have many great discussions with Hazel about Democratic politics, antiques, and even basketball. She loved good food. She was deeply intelligent and cared greatly for every individual that came into her "orbit". May she rest in peace.

We remember well the days of "Ramona + Hazel", often with Larry Metcalf as their other partner, organizing exhibitions for Bellevue Art Museum, NorthWest Designer Craftsmen, and many others. Students became friends and co-conspirators. Hazel had an unequivocal love of color and brightness, and had a marvelous collection of folk crafts from around the world. What a great teacher and friend she was.

Hazel was an influential art instructor to many present art teachers and craftsmen in this area. She was a dedicated art mentor and her work with Ramona Solberg at the U.W. was significant. Elice Skirvin Swanson, BA, Art Ed. 1980