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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.

Ethyl I. Sojda, age 84, of Creek Rd, Batavia, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 8th, 2022. Ethyl was born in Batavia as the only daughter of the late Vincent N. and Ruth M. Kirch. She was a life-long resident of Alexander, NY.

After graduating from Alexander Central School, she held various jobs until she married her late husband, John F. Sojda, Jr. in 1961 and raised three children. As a dedicated mother she could be seen braving any weather to watch her children’s sporting events. She returned to work in 1977 and held a number of positions with local companies over the following thirty years. In her last role she was a Loose Ends hostess managing the GCC cafeteria where many folks came to enjoy her kind and pleasant personality and her dedicated work ethic.

Though a long-time crocheter, later in life she became a serious quilter and active in the Batavia Museum Quilt Guild. She produced a number of quilts for family and friends that are still enjoyed daily.

For a number of years, she was also a volunteer with All Babies Cherished. It was not uncommon to see her with her knitting material creating baby hats for the regional hospital system. For many years she was an assistant to John Sojda, Jr. in his role as Alexander Town Justice. Part of her charm and grace was how resiliently and quietly she met life’s challenges—both her own and those of others who knew her.

Ethyl is survived by her sons John and Steve (Barb), her daughter Ann, five grandchildren; Lily Whisman, Jacob (Paige), Stephanie (Patrick) Guarino, Michelle (Andrew) James , and Angela (Martin) Pohl, great-grandchildren; Ezekiel Guarino, Emily and Eli James, Alex, and Maria Pohl. She was preceded by her brother Merlin Kirch and has 4 surviving brothers (Ralph, Arnold, Harold, and Myron), and many nieces and nephews.

Mass at St. Mary's in Batavia at 9:30am Saturday June 25th followed by a graveside service at West Bethany Cemetery. Lunch to follow at her home at

9926 Creek Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alexander Rescue Squad PO Box 336 Alexander, NY 14005 or Homecare & Hospice 29 Liberty St. Suite 6 Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011