Hazel Vorice McCord was a remarkable woman whose life tells the story of nearly an entire century of American history. Born on October 6, 1896, in East Lynn, Vermilion County, Illinois, Hazel grew up in a small-town community built on hard work, education, and strong family ties. She was the daughter of Charles Cornelius McCord and Adeline Verinda Neal McCord, and her upbringing in rural Illinois shaped her values of resilience and compassion. Known also as Hazel Victoria McCord and later as Hazel Van Dyke after marriage, she became a teacher and stenographer before devoting herself to raising her family. Hazel was the proud mother of two sons who would become famous entertainers, Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke, yet her own influence was equally significant. Her story reflects love, strength, and adaptability, showing how Hazel Vorice McCord quietly shaped lives while living through extraordinary times.
Profile Summary: Hazel Vorice McCord
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hazel Vorice McCord (also known as Hazel Victoria McCord, later Hazel Van Dyke) |
| Date of Birth | October 6, 1896 (sometimes listed as 1897) |
| Place of Birth | East Lynn, Vermilion County, Illinois, USA |
| Parents | Charles Cornelius McCord and Adeline Verinda Neal McCord |
| Siblings | Several brothers and sisters (names not all documented) |
| Education | Schooled in Illinois; later became a stenographer and teacher |
| Profession | Teacher, Stenographer |
| Spouse | Married Loren Van Dyke in 1925 |
| Children | Richard Wayne “Dick” Van Dyke (1925), Jerry Van Dyke (1931) |
| Date of Death | September 27, 1992, at age 95 |
| Place of Death | Conflicting reports of Little Rock, Arkansas, or Coronado, California |
| Burial Place | Sunset Memorial Park, Danville, Illinois |
Early Life and Family Roots
Hazel Vorice McCord was born on October 6, 1896, in East Lynn, Vermilion County, Illinois, during a time when America was still deeply rooted in rural traditions. She was the daughter of Charles Cornelius McCord and Adeline Verinda Neal McCord, who raised their children with strong values of faith, education, and community. Growing up in a small farming town, Hazel experienced a simple yet disciplined childhood surrounded by siblings and extended family. Life in East Lynn was shaped by hard work, close-knit family bonds, and the rhythm of farming seasons. These early years gave Hazel Vorice McCord the foundation of resilience, compassion, and responsibility that guided her through life and influenced the values she later passed on to her children.
Education and Early Career
Hazel Vorice McCord grew up in a time when education was both a privilege and a responsibility, and she embraced learning with dedication. She attended local schools in Vermilion County, Illinois, where one-room classrooms provided the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also emphasized discipline and moral values.
After completing her studies, Hazel began working as a stenographer, mastering the skills of shorthand and typewriting, which were essential professions for young women seeking independence in the early 20th century. However, her true calling was in teaching, where she guided children with patience and care. Education not only shaped Hazel Vorice McCord’s professional life but also prepared her for her most important role as a mother and mentor to her own children.
Love, Marriage, and Motherhood
In 1925, Hazel Vorice McCord began a new chapter of her life when she married Loren Van Dyke, a hardworking and supportive partner who shared her values of family and stability. After marriage, Hazel was often known as Hazel Van Dyke, but her birth name, Hazel Vorice McCord, remained part of her identity in historical records.
Together, Hazel and Loren built a home filled with warmth, love, and responsibility, navigating the challenges of the Great Depression and the rapidly changing world of the 20th century. They became proud parents to two sons, Richard Wayne “Dick” Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke, both of whom grew into world-famous entertainers. As a mother, Hazel balanced discipline with encouragement, nurturing her sons’ creativity while instilling in them strong values of honesty, resilience, and compassion.
Hazel as a Mother – Raising Dick and Jerry Van Dyke
Hazel Vorice McCord’s most influential role in life was that of a mother, and her guidance shaped the future of two of America’s most beloved entertainers, Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke. While the world later recognized them for their talent and charm, to Hazel they were simply her boys, full of curiosity and energy. She believed in balancing structure with freedom, giving her sons both discipline and encouragement to pursue their passions.
Hazel’s home was filled with laughter, storytelling, and values that nurtured creativity. Through her patience and support, Dick developed his humor and stage presence, while Jerry found his path in comedy and acting. Behind their success was the steady influence of Hazel Vorice McCord, whose parenting philosophy combined love, guidance, and resilience.
Career in Education and Community Involvement
Hazel Vorice McCord was not only a dedicated wife and mother but also a woman who made meaningful contributions to education and her community. Before and after her marriage, she worked as a teacher, where she inspired students with patience, encouragement, and a genuine love for learning.
Her classroom was more than a place for academics; it was where she taught children about responsibility, discipline, and values. In addition to teaching, Hazel Vorice McCord also served as a stenographer, showing her versatility and determination to adapt to changing times. Beyond her career, she was active in her community, participating in church activities, supporting neighborhood families, and contributing to local causes. Her involvement reflected her belief that education and community service were essential in building a stronger society for future generations.
Witnessing a Century of Change
Hazel Vorice McCord lived through one of the most transformative centuries in human history, experiencing changes that reshaped both daily life and society. Born in 1896, she grew up in a world of horse-drawn carriages and handwritten letters, yet lived to see automobiles, airplanes, television, and even the first steps on the moon. Hazel Vorice McCord also witnessed two world wars, the Great Depression, and the civil rights movement, events that tested resilience and demanded adaptability. Through all of these shifts, she remained grounded in her values of family, faith, and education, proving that even during great change, stability and love could guide a meaningful life.
Later Life and Final Years
As the years passed, Hazel Vorice McCord enjoyed the rewards of a long life surrounded by her family, who remained at the center of her happiness. By the 1980s, she lived with her son Jerry in Malvern, Arkansas, where she spent her later days enjoying the comfort of home, family visits, and quiet moments of reflection.
Hazel Vorice McCord lived through nearly a century of incredible changes, but her core values of love, faith, and resilience remained unchanged. On September 27, 1992, she passed away just shy of her 96th birthday. Though some records list Little Rock, Arkansas, and others Coronado, California, as her place of death, what remains certain is her peaceful departure. She was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, Illinois, returning to the place where her life began.
Legacy and Influence
The legacy of Hazel Vorice McCord extends far beyond her years, as her values and teachings continued to shape the lives of her family and community. While she is often remembered as the mother of celebrated entertainers Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke, Hazel’s influence was not limited to their success in Hollywood.
She left behind a legacy of love, discipline, and resilience that inspired everyone who knew her. Hazel Vorice McCord showed that a mother’s guidance can nurture creativity, character, and perseverance, creating ripples that reach generations. Her dedication to teaching and community service also ensured that she made an impact outside her family, touching students and neighbors with kindness and wisdom. Her story proves that even those who live away from fame can still build a legacy that inspires and uplifts others for decades to come.
Conclusion
The life of Hazel Vorice McCord is a remarkable example of resilience, dedication, and love, woven into the fabric of nearly an entire century of American history. From her early years in East Lynn, Illinois, to her final days in Arkansas or California, Hazel’s journey reflected the values of hard work, education, and family. She was more than just the mother of Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke; she was the guiding force who instilled in them creativity, discipline, and compassion. Hazel Vorice McCord’s legacy is not only preserved through her famous sons but also through the many students, neighbors, and family members she inspired. Her story shows how one woman’s quiet strength and consistent values can shape generations, proving that influence is not measured by fame but by the love and wisdom left behind.
FAQs About Hazel Vorice McCord
Who was Hazel Vorice McCord?
Hazel Vorice McCord was an American woman born in 1896 in East Lynn, Illinois. She was a teacher, stenographer, and most importantly, the mother of entertainers Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke.
When was Hazel Vorice McCord born?
She was born on October 6, 1896, in Vermilion County, Illinois, although some records mention 1897 as her birth year.
What did Hazel Vorice McCord do for a living?
Hazel worked as both a stenographer and a teacher. She loved education and inspired many students with her patience, kindness, and values.
When did Hazel Vorice McCord die?
Hazel Vorice McCord passed away on September 27, 1992, just days before her 96th birthday. Some records mention Little Rock, Arkansas, while others list Coronado, California, as her place of death.
Where is Hazel Vorice McCord buried?
She was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, Illinois, returning to her roots near her birthplace.
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