Hazel May Miller, 92 of Batavia, formerly of Alexander and Attica, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother died December 31, 2013 at Buffalo General Hospital. She was born February 4, 1921 in Alexander to the late Earle (Fannie Williams) Kelsey.
After graduating from Alexander High School, Hazel became a Rosie the Riveter at Curtis Wright in Buffalo during the war effort and later went on to earn her license as a cosmetologist, a profession which allowed her to work from home while raising her 8 young children. Later she went to work at Batavia Linen Systems and P. W. Minor and Sons in Batavia. Hazel was a member of Bethany Center Baptist Church and volunteered for several years at the Genesee County Nursing Home. She was best known to family and friends as a woman who always offered an encouraging word and didn't have a mean bone in her body. She is preceded in death by her son Russ, granddaughters Rachel Miller and Meredith Schaefer; brothers Donald (infant) and Daniel Kelsey.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Edward A. Miller; seven children, Maggie (Marsha) Miller of Batavia, Roger (Judy) Miller of Spring Grove, VA., Greg (Ann) Miller of East Bethany, Jeff Miller of Port Charlotte, FL., Paul (Sheri) Miller of Alexander, Paula Miller-Schaefer (George) of Norfolk, VA. and Vicki (Jeff) Wolak of East Bethany; Daughter-in-law Belinda Miller (Rick) Cox, 19 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 9 great, great grandchildren; three brothers William (Janet) Kelsey, Robert (Peggy) Kelsey, and Gordon “Gub” (Gaylene) Kelsey, nieces and nephews. Also, family member Julie Pearce of Sebring, FL.
Friends are invited to call on Friday January 3, 2014 from 3 to 7 PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc., 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia. A celebration of Hazel’s life will be held at 11AM Saturday January 4, 2013 at Bethany Center Baptist Church, 10420 Bethany Center Road, E. Bethany, NY 14054. A private interment will take place at a later date.
Memorials in her name may be made to Bethany Center Baptist Church, 10420 Bethany Center Road, E. Bethany, NY 14054 or to Maple Lawn Cemetery Association, 10720 Bethany Center Road, E. Bethany, NY 14054. To sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or for more information call (585) 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.
