In Memory
Hazleen (Young) Golden
Nov. 26, 1934 - Jan. 11, 2016
SOUTH BEND - Hazleen Golden was born on November 26, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana to Arthur and Dessie (Williams) Young. In the early morning of January 11, 2016, Mother Hazleen entered her sunset after a hard fought and lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.
A fun-loving and vibrant young Hazleen, known as Hazel, was reared in the backdrop of her Notre Dame University community, attended Oliver Elementary School and graduated from Washington High School.
During her teenage and young adult years she was employed as a Recreation Aide at the now highly acclaimed Hering House Recreation Center, which focused on the city's black youth. She married her childhood sweetheart, Willie J. Golden on Sept 5, 1954 in South Bend, IN. Three children were born of this union: Valerie, Glenda and Anthony. In the early 1960's she attended Ivy Tech Trade School earning a Culinary Arts degree. Hazleen was a sought after Domestic Worker for many years before landing her career job as a social worker with Planned Parenthood, located on Chapin Street in her hometown. There she taught women how to care for themselves, enjoy motherhood and best care for their children. She was beloved by these young families and retired after many years of service. She continued work as a Housekeeper at St. Joseph Medical Center and was a Bus Aide for the South Bend School Corporation.
She later relocated to Salinas, California, where she worked in Housekeeping at Natividad Medical Center. Hazleen professed her love for God at a young age, and has always been active in church. She and her husband joined St. Augustine Catholic Church. There, she sang in the choir and worked in the Soup Kitchen. After moving to Salinas, she became a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church where she volunteered on the Benevolent Fund committee, and was honored as a Church Mother. She also sang in Mt. Nebo's Missionary Choir and led the song, “Looking For My Jesus”. Hazleen was known for her generosity to people in the community and for the endless love she had for her family. She was a protective lioness over her cubs, but her spirit was cotton candy-soft and sweet. Everyone who encountered her, remembered the blessings she whipped up from on top the stove and from inside the oven. Her food was definitively Soul, she could cook or bake anything from a little of nothing. She was famous for her sweet potato pies and Caramel cakes.
She is preceded in death by both her parents, brothers Melvin Williams, Arthur Young and Bryan Young and great-grandson Samson Zuriel Wright.
She leaves behind her only and beloved sister, Margaret Ann Wells of Salinas, CA, brothers, Rory Young and Clifford Young of Elkhart, IN, children Valerie (James) Golden of Salinas, CA, Glenda (Clifford) Golden and Anthony (Rose) Golden of South Bend, IN, an adoptive daughter, Charlesetta (Darrell) Williams, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host loved ones to include nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Alford's Mortuary with viewing occurring at Alford's Mortuary from noon to 1:00 p.m. Arrangements entrusted with Alford's Mortuary. Visit our website to sign guest book and or to send family a condolence: www.Alfordsmortuaryinc.com
Published by South Bend Tribune on Jan. 16, 2016.
04/16/2023 EJS
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