Retired elementary school teacher Hazel Begovich of Troy, Ohio, succumbed to the coronavirus on March 25, 2020.

Sadly, the coronavirus has claimed the life of yet another teacher. Retired educator Hazel Lee Begovich passed away at Upper Valley Medical Center on March 25, 2020, in Troy, Miami County, Ohio. She was one of the first Miami County residents to lose her life to the coronavirus. She was 88 years old.

Hazel was born on December 21, 1931, in Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky. After her graduation from high school, she enrolled in Eastern Kentucky University. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education.

After moving with her husband to Troy, Hazel inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position working for the Troy City Schools as a first and second grade teacher. She spent the majority of her teaching career as a second grade teacher at Concord Elementary School in Troy. She retired in 1996.

Hazel was married to Charles Begovich for 59 years, and the union produced one daughter, Malissa Evans. To honor Hazel’s memory, Hazel’s husband has established the Hazel Begovich Memorial Scholarship in her name. The $1,000 scholarship will be offered starting in the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Begovich says the scholarship will be available for three consecutive years to a graduating Troy High School senior who declares the intention of pursuing a career in primary education.

According to her obituary, Hazel will always be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. The obituary also said that Hazel worked tirelessly to help her students pursue their goals.

Read more about this dedicated educator in this online story from the Troy Daily News.