Hazel Vorice McCord was born October 6, 1896, in East Lynn, Vermilion County, Illinois. Nobody remembers her name right away—her two sons, Dick and Jerry Van Dyke, are famous. Hazel was just their mother. She didn’t chase fame. She kept things steady.
She grew up as one of several kids—her parents were Charles Cornelius McCord and Adeline Verinda Neal. Siblings included Neal Albert McCord Sr. (born 1898) and Helen Evelyne McCord (born 1919). Their home in Illinois was modest. Work mattered. Hunger was real. Comfort came slowly.
Working Years and Real Life
Hazel worked as a stenographer. That meant long hours listening, typing, staying focused. It was practical. It’s also how she supported herself before marriage. It offered consistency rather than flair. By sheer persistence she built a working life. It wasn’t glamorous. It was stable.
She lived through World War I. Later, the Depression. Then World War II. These weren’t stories in textbooks—they shaped daily life. Meals, home repairs, quiet sacrifices. Hazel faced it all.
Family Life, Values, and Quiet Courage
Hazel married and became Mrs. Van Dyke. She and her husband had two sons—Dick in 1925 and Jerry in 1931. Parenting during the Depression meant tight budgets, soft discipline, and moral lessons through example.
She wasn’t a pushy stage mother. She guided her kids but didn’t direct their careers. She gave them room and roots. They learned humor, kindness, and work ethic from watching how she managed a household under pressure.
In the Shadows, But Present
When Dick’s TV show and fame grew in the 1950s–60s, Hazel stayed quiet. Not secretive—just not part of performing. No interviews, no memoir pages. She valued privacy over publicity. She was there, but not always visible.
She moved to Arkansas in later years. Some records place her in Malvern, others in Little Rock. She died September 27, 1992, at age 95. Everyone who knew of her funeral recognized she’d lived a long, steady life.
Why It Matters
It’s easy to think family roles are simple. But Hazel’s influence shaped two entertainers known for warmth and humility. She didn’t shape public persona. She shaped character. A calm mother in ordinary towns laid the groundwork for two people who became beloved figures for millions.
Her life wasn’t flashy. It was durable. Without her influence, early decisions, and unspoken guidance, Dick and Jerry could’ve had different paths.
Avoid These Mistakes
‑ Mixing up names: some sources list her as “Hazel Victoria McCord,” others “Hazel Vorice McCord.” It’s the same person.
‑ Assuming she promoted her sons’ careers: she didn’t. She supported from home. Never used their rise to get spotlight for herself.
FAQs
Who was Hazel Vorice McCord? The mother of Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke.
Birth date/place? October 6, 1896, East Lynn, Illinois.
Occasion of death? September 27, 1992, at age 95, in Arkansas.
Profession? Stenographer before marriage.
Public presence? Minimal. Always private, even as her sons gained fame.
Final Thoughts
Hazel’s story doesn’t have accolades or public speeches. It’s lived. It’s real. She raises one question: what about the people who raise our heroes? Hazel Vorice McCord did that. She managed ordinary life and raised sons who would make many people laugh. She deserves recognition for being that steady presence in a changing world.
— James Flick
