Maureene hauser

Maureen (Dyer) Hauser

11/04/1934 – 03/06/2025

Maureen Hauser passed away peacefully on March 6 after a brief decline. She was at home as she wished, surrounded by family and close friends. Maureen was truly the best of humanity, and she is deeply missed.

Maureen was born in Faringdon, England, to parents George and Elsie Dyer. She and her brother Colin grew up in this picturesque environment bordering the Cotswolds. Her stories of early life in England were precious to those around her. After secondary school she studied horticulture at a nearby technical (community) college and later worked in a wholesale nursery. 

In 1961, while singing with the Choral Society of the Royal Military College of Science, she met USAF 2nd Lieutenant Rolland Keith “Rollie” Hauser, who was serving as a weather forecaster at the Brize Norton Royal Air Force station in Oxfordshire. They were married on October 31st, 1963, and soon moved to Chicago, where Rollie pursued graduate degrees in atmospheric science and where daughters Juliet and Deborah were born. When Rollie finished his program, the family moved to Chico, where Rollie began his career as a professor of physical science at Chico State. Little brother Benjamin was born in Chico, completing the family.

Maureen was known for her kindness, compassion, generosity, and friendship, and lived a life of thoughtful giving: Thanksgiving invitations to solo friends, delivering fresh-baked goods, sending cards to brighten someone’s day. She cherished her friendships from groups such as the Chico State’s Faculty Wives Club, the Chico Congregational Church, Chico’s British Wives’ Club, St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, and John McManus Elementary School, where she worked as school librarian and later office clerk. 

Maureen was very gifted. She played the piano masterfully, played the organ for church services, and sang soprano with a beautiful, angelic tone. In Chico, she and Rollie continued their shared love of singing through church choirs and Chico State performances. Maureen was also an excellent cook. She enjoyed hosting dinner parties and maintained a home that always smelled like something good was baking. Finally, she had a joyful sense of humor. Her favorite greeting cards were the rude ones, and she collected and shared various “funnies” with friends and family (e.g. bloopers from news headlines).  

            Maureen is survived by husband Rollie, children Juliet, Deborah and Ben, grandchildren Emily, Bridget, Naomi and Colin, brother Colin in England, and nieces and nephews scattered around the world. Maureen’s family is planning a celebration of life at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Chico on Saturday, May 24, beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two of her favorite charities, Save the Children or World Central Kitchen.