How Did Hazel Erby Die?
COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS — Hazel Erby, the first Black woman elected to the St. Louis County Council and who served for 15 years, passed away on Friday (July 2, 2021). She was 75 years old at the time.
Mrs. Erby's relatives did not provide an explanation for her death. Mrs. Erby had been battling cancer, according to Council Chairwoman Rita Heard Days.
Death Cause- Pancreatic Cancer. (Death Date: 2 July 2021)
Who Was Hazel Erby?
Hazel Erby was an American and Democratic member of the St. Louis County Council who died on July 2, 2021. She has been the first district's representative since 2004. Hazel Erby, a member of the City Council, resigned to join County Executive Sam Page's administration.
Hazel Erby is a Vashon High School alumni. She moved on to Lincoln University and Harris–Stowe State University after that.
Since then, she has served as executive director of the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse, site director of the Caring Communities Program at Barbara C. Jordan School in University City, and founder of the TAP City Program in University City, which paired teenagers with senior citizens to help them with errands and chores.
She was a member of the Negro Women's National Council. She served on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's board of directors.
Tributes
Former St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby has passed away. I say this without hyperbole: She is one of the most important and impactful St. Louis County political leaders in history.
— Jason Rosenbaum (@jrosenbaum) July 2, 2021
Hazel Erby was a true St. Louis gem and will go down in history as one of the most impactful leaders in St. Louis history.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) July 3, 2021
And personally, she believed in me when so many others did not. I am forever grateful.
Rest In Peace, Mama Hazel. May your memory be a blessing.
Today I lost one of the most impactful people in my life. My mentor and friend, the Hon. Hazel Erby. I owe so much of who I am and what I know to her. She was a progressive champion for black and working folks in STL County. We lost a giant. Rest in Peace Auntie. pic.twitter.com/SFDzjTtsVW
— Marquis Govan (@MarquisGovan1) July 2, 2021
We extend our condolences to the friends and family of Councilwoman Hazel Erby. We will always admire her tenacity and dedication to the citizens of St. Louis County.
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) July 2, 2021
Heartbroken to learn of the passing of friend and councilwoman @No1councilwoman Hazel Erby. She was a trailblazer in so many ways. Rest easy.
— Dr. Megan Ellyia Green 🌹 (@MeganEllyia) July 2, 2021
Hazel Erby, former St. Louis County councilwoman, dies at 75 https://t.co/bDnALfwwyJ pic.twitter.com/oKi5tysmAN
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday) July 3, 2021