Hazel May Morgan's Obituary
Hazel May Morgan, 100, of Brooklyn, Michigan peacefully passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Brooklyn Living Center, Brooklyn, Michigan. She was born May 1, 1925, in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, Michigan. Her father, Frank Isaiah Giberson, was a Free Methodist Minister, and her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Spicer) Giberson, was a farmer’s daughter. The Spicer family migrated from England and homesteaded in Green Oak Township during the 1860’s. Frank’s branch of the Giberson family migrated from Western Europe and established lives in New Brunswick, Canada, prior to the Revolutionary war. Frank migrated to the United States from British Columbia, Canada, in the early 1920’s after losing his first wife to the 1918 flu epidemic. Frank’s daughter, Frances, remained in Canada with her mother’s family.
Hazel attended a country school through the 8th grade, and finished her high school education at Brighton High School, Brighton, Michigan where she graduated Valedictorian in 1943. She attended and graduated from The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in 1947.
In 1946, she married James R Birckelbaw, from South Lyon, Michigan. They had 3 daughters, Judith Ann, Jane Kay, and Bonnie Jo. They later divorced and Hazel married Clarence Albert Morgan in 1958. No children were born to this union. In the 100 years of her life, her descended family grew to 37 individuals over 4 additional generations. Her extended family was much larger, including her descendants’ spouses, and multiple step-generations.
Hazel was an avid ‘rock hound’, traveling around many states to build a significant collection of gems and minerals. She collected, cut, polished, tumbled, faceted, and otherwise enjoyed turning the collection into jewelry and specimens to admire. She was a member of 3 State of Michigan Gem and Mineral clubs and served as President in 2 of them over the course of 60 years. Hazel and Clarence enjoyed teaching and worked many years in Hartland School’s lapidary lab. The lab was later named in their honor.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening, preserving food, shopping, fishing, sewing, collecting recipes, and actively serving in local churches as teacher and secretary. She also enjoyed working many summers in the Handcraft center at the Lake Ann Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Michigan. When asked what her secret of long life was she answered, “Love Jesus”.
According to her wishes, she was laid to rest next to her husband, and parents in Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens. Her family and friends will celebrate her life on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 3 PM to 6 PM at Loomis Park Baptist Church pavilion, 2301 N Elm Ave, Jackson, MI, 49201. Friends are invited to attend as we would love to hear memories of her. In lieu of flowers, if you want to make a donation in Hazel’s honor, please send it to Loomis Park Baptist Church. Please leave a message of comfort for Hazel's family or sign her guestbook at https://www.EinederFuneralHomes.com
What’s your fondest memory of Hazel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Hazel?
Share a story where Hazel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Hazel you’ll never forget.
How did Hazel make you smile?