In Memory: Marjorie Hazelwood

Submitted by Mary Hazelwood

On April 27 1932, Marjorie Hazelwood started on this journey of life and on September 25, 2018 this journey had ended. We all have a story and this one is my mom’s. A strong woman, Marjorie lived life her way. Born in Rodeo, California to Gordon and Altabell Gauss, her childhood was what movies are made from, more like the old Westerns she loved than any modern movies. Her father taught her to fish and shoot; she shot from the hip and she hit what she aimed for!

Her first horse was a paint palomino named Nug, bought for her when she was a young teenager by Ruby Porter, her grandmother. Nug had sent a few cowboys to the hospital but Marjorie wanted him and kept him all his life. When she was 13, living in Las Vegas, she met Tom Weaver, together they would catch and train wild horses and burros to sell. When the rodeo came to town, she wanted to enter the roping competition. Tom said not to enter as it was too dangerous. She found that rather funny since they were riding across the deserts outside Las Vegas on wild horses. Not the typical 1940s childhood, but typical of Marjorie’s fearlessness!

The next chapter in her adventures began with meeting her husband Richard, having a family and becoming a part of the Morgan horse world. She was a 4-H leader, was on the El Dorado Trail Committee, belonged to the Friends of the Library (she loved to read), was on the board of the American Morgan Horse Association, and served on the City Council before being elected mayor of Dorris, California. Nationwide though, she was known for breeding Morgan horses; she and her husband began Richwood Morgans in 1961, a tradition that continues today with their daughter, Mary.

She is preceded in death by her husband Richard, brother Dale Bunch, son Jim Hazelwood, and grandson Conrad Smith. She is survived by son Thomas Lee Hazelwood, daughters Mary Louise Hazelwood and Nancy Savage, five grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and many loved family members and friends.

I am so grateful that I was able to thank her for all she has taught me; the most important lesson is to "‘be true to your word for that is the only thing that you can take with you at the end." She was a very wise, loving woman who left a wonderful legacy.

This year had marked 57 years of breeding Richwood Morgan Horses; I am so honored that my mom has entrusted me with the horses that symbolized her life.