Faye Haskin Nazon, former co-owner and administrator of the Cojeunaze Nursing Center, passed away quietly in her sleep on February 5, 2016. Ms. Nazon was also a much loved home economics teacher and guidance counselor at Hyde Park Academy High School from 1966 to 1979. She was 79.
A Celebration of Life for Ms. Faye Nazon will be held on Saturday, February 27, at 9:00 a.m. at Christ Universal Temple in the Rev. Helen Carry Faith Chapel located at 11901 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60643 where she was a member for over 30 years.
Ms.Nazon earned a bachelors’ degree from Prairie View A&M University. After graduating in 1960, she headed to Chicago and was employed at Provident Hospital as a dietitian. After earning a masters’ degree in education from Loyola University in 1975, Ms. Nazon transitioned from a home economics teacher to a guidance counselor. Although teaching was her first love, she left education to join the family business in 1980 and became the administrator at the Bronzeville-based nursing center, the first African American-owned nursing home in Chicago. Under her direction, Ms. Nazon helped to establish Cojeunaze as a successful five-star, 200-bed facility that she ran for 15 years before she retired and the business changed ownership.
Also known as an excellent hostess, Ms. Nazon hosted exquisite parties in her beautifully decorated Hyde Park home that included handwritten invitations, themed decorations and delicious menus for occasions such as July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Her guest lists often included the “Who’s Who” in Chicago society.
At age 60, she trained for and completed her first marathon to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America. In all, she completed three marathons as she and her children raised over $10,000 for the organization. She remained committed to her health and adopted an organic diet, spent time in the gym and added yoga to her daily routine.
After completing the Barbizon School of Modeling and numerous auditions, Ms. Nazon was featured in the beauty section of Ebony magazine in August 2005. Ms. Nazon also studied piano and performed at recitals. She loved to sing and joined the University of Chicago Chorus. In addition, she was an avid bowler.
In April 2010, this fearless woman of faith faced the biggest challenge of her life. She was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her years as a marathoner taught her how to push through the difficult times to be successful. She walked daily and kept her mind focused on the future. By September, she came out of retirement and became a substitute teacher for Dolton, IL School District 149. She also turned her home into a bed and breakfast, hosting international students and guests from all over the world. When Ms. Nazon’s daughter Cosette founded The Love, Unity & Values Institute, a non-profit organization to assist disadvantaged youth, Ms. Nazon helped supervise the summer programs, taught etiquette to first generation college students and was the inspiration for the Institute’s Wreaths of LUV program.
Ms. Nazon is survived by her two children, Jeune Nazon (Adrienne) and Cosette Nazon Yisrael, a host of family, friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support Ms. Nazon’s favorite charity, The Love, Unity & Values Institute, where the Faye H. Nazon Scholarship Fund has been established. Visit www.luvinstitute. org or call 773-624-5200 for more information.
