Zoanne Hazen Perez, of Niles
Published 12:15 pm Friday, May 5, 2017
Feb. 11, 1927 β May 2, 2017
Zoanne Elizabeth Hazen Perez, 90, was born in Detroit, to Mary Belle Stabler Hazen and Stuart D. Hazen on Feb. 11, 1927. She died after a short illness Tuesday, May 2, 2017, surrounded by her husband of 67 years, Arthur, daughter Marta (Tom) Coward-Glunt and daughter-in-law Delia (Ed).
She moved to Niles to teach at Niles High School in 1948, after graduating from Michigan State University.
In 1950, she met Art Perez, a native of New Orleans, who swept her off her feet. They were wed six months later.
Zoanne taught piano lessons to many Niles residents and owned New Day Real Estate and developed White Oaks Development in Buchanan, where they moved in 1978. The Niles Service League, Niles Garden Club and many golf leagues benefited from her community spirit and hard work. After finishing their part in the development process, Zoanne and Art moved to a warmer climate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, to be closer to southern family and to play golf.
Zoanne was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles and Gulf Shores United Methodist Church in Gulf Shores. She was characterized by her dry sense of humor, adventurous spirit and zest for life.
She was called βan elegant lady.β
She is survived by her spouse, Art; her two children, Marta (Tom) Coward-Glunt and Ed (Delia) Perez; her five grandchildren, Ryan (Kate) Coward, Brycen (Mari) Coward, Jennifer (Garrett) Perez McSpadden, Peyton Perez and Preston Perez; and two great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church, followed by a celebration of life at Villagio Restaurant at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marta Coward-Glunt, 4451 Millhouse Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, for placement of a memorial tree with plaque in the Orange Beach Memorial Park, or to Gulf Shores United Methodist Church Choir, Gulf Shores UMC, 1900 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.