Hazel Brann Casey, born July 5, 1918 in Hereford, Texas died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 after sustaining a fall in her home the Thursday before. Hazel was the eldest child of Erich J. and Regina Brann. As a child she moved extensively including Detroit, Chicago and Florida. A graduate in 1934 of Houston’s San Jacinto High School, it was there she met and fell in love with Bob Casey. They were married at St. Anne’s Church in Houston on August 13, 1935. It was the beginning of a truly remarkable 50+ year marriage where Hazel deftly juggled giving birth to and raising ten children while spearheading her husband’s long and successful political career from Texas state representative and Harris County Judge to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Running Bob’s political campaigns and raising children cut short her attendance at the University of Houston one semester shy of a degree; while in Washington, D.C., she became a Realtor. Eighteen years in D.C. saw her mingling with presidents and diplomats but never made her lose her focus on the importance she placed on family, friends and her home in Houston.
Hazel was a community star in her own right, being an active member of the Democratic party and at various times the Houston Junior Forum, Charity Guild of Catholic Women, Theresians, St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Council and a board member of FirstBanc Savings and Main Street Bank.
Hazel is predeceased by her husband, Bob, in 1986 and her daughter, Sister Catherine Casey, O.P., in 1998. She is survived by her brother E.J. “Gus” Brann and wife Agatha of Houston and daughters Hazel Mary Harron of Clear Lake City; Bonnie Quinton and her husband Michael Murray, of Oxnard, California; Bridget Poizner and her husband Howard, of San Diego, California; Eileen Bujnoch and her husband David, of Bellaire, Texas; and sons Bob Casey, Jr. and wife Mary Kay of Houston; Michael E. Casey and wife Linda of Sugar Land; Shawn Casey and wife Suggie of Houston; Timothy Casey and wife Olga of Sugar Land; and Kevin Casey of Austin. She is also missed by 25 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Family will receive visitors on Friday, October 29 starting at 5:30 PM with a rosary at 7:30 PM at Earthman’s Funeral Home at 6700 Ferris in Bellaire. A memorial mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at 1801 Sage Road in Houston at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite 296 Houston 77098 or the charity of your choice.
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