Hazel Jean Petty passed away on May 18, 2025.

She was born an identical twin. Jean and Marlene were adopted at the age of three due to the death of their father and the severe depression of their mother. This separated them from their mother and baby brother.

Jean married twice, having two children with her first husband. Marlene always lived nearby, so the first cousins—six in total—were raised together. Both twins were accomplished artists, winning prizes at state fairs.

In the 1970s, Jean struck a couple of blows for women’s liberation. She was featured in the newspaper as the only female coach in the local little league, with a large picture of her and her son on the front page of the Lifestyle section.

Jean and Marlene were the first two female bus drivers of the OCTD (Orange County Transit District).

Jean decided to go to college and was the first member of her family to graduate from the University of California, Irvine, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Several years later, both her children also graduated from UCI.

She moved to Humboldt County to pursue her master’s degree in sociology at Humboldt State University. With her art background and interest in all things self-improvement — yoga, self-hypnosis, creative expression—she became an excellent recreational therapist. She worked for many years at the in-patient psychiatric health facility, Sempervirens. Around town, she would run into former patients who often said she had changed their lives for the better.

Jean had vision issues that gradually worsened and ultimately left her completely blind by her mid-80s. Being a visual artist, this was very difficult for her, but she faced it bravely. Courage was an attribute she exhibited all her life. Her family will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece, nephew, and their families, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jean chose cremation in accordance with her final wishes. Her ashes will be spread with immediate family in attendance at a future date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Hazel Petty’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.