Hazel Mae McSwane

Hazel Mae McSwane Born: May 12, 1926 Died: June 14, 2026

Hazel entered into Heaven to meet her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2026. She recently marked her 100th birthday with family and friends in what she called a “perfect, indescribable week of celebration!"

Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Hazel was born to Lee James Johnson and Willie "Pearl" Mackey on May 12, 1926. Hazel’s family moved to California, residing near Fresno and in San Francisco while her father worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. Later, her family moved to Olivehurst, where she graduated from Marysville High School, then to Susanville, where she and her sisters enjoyed playing music in the church their father pastored. 

While living in Susanville, Hazel met Cecil B. McSwane - the love of her life, who had recently returned from military service. They married on June 10, 1947 and four years later, they built their lifelong home on top of a hill in Plymouth California, with a porch looking out onto the hills surrounding the town. On any nice day, you could find Hazel porch-sitting with her Bible in her lap and a glass of sweet tea at her side.

Hazel, Cecil, and their children spent many summers camping in the woods in their trailer while Cecil worked as a timber faller in the logging industry. Hazel’s love for being outside, enjoying nature, and listening to the sounds of running water led her to purchase a motorhome after Cecil’s passing. She took her Winnebago, and her sisters, children, and grandchildren, on innumerable trips; her family especially cherishes memories of sitting around campfires in Yosemite and swimming at Ice House Reservoir and Silver Lake.

Hazel loved music, playing both the organ and the accordion in church services, and traveled with her sisters to an annual southern gospel quartet convention. She enjoyed playing games, and instilled that love in her children and grandchildren - though there was no beating the “7 Letter Scrabble Queen.” She was a pillar of her church and her community, but most of all she loved her family, for whom she prayed daily.

Hazel is survived by her son, Les McSwane and wife Joni of Jackson, California; daughter, Carol Moreno and husband Michael of Plymouth, California; sisters, Esther Reiswig and Mary Miles, both residing in North Carolina; grandchildren, Cher, Candace, Danelle, Rachel, and Casey; great-grandchildren, Valyssia, Dustin, Joshua, and Zane; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Vera Cory, and brother, John Johnson.

There will be a service on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Plymouth Community Church in Plymouth. Light refreshments will be served following the service. Attendees are invited to bring a dessert. There will be no graveside services