Obituary of Hazel Neill

Hazel I. Neill, of Paradise Valley, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at the age of 98, at the home of her nephew, the late Robert A. Besecker. She was under the loving care of Robert's wife, Jill Besecker and her daughter, Sharon Young. Hazel was the fourth child of the late Mahlon and Gertrude (Nauman) Besecker of Cresco. Hazel taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in Analomink, as well as Clearview in Stroudsburg, and Poplar Valley. She and her sister Pauline, during their summer breaks from teaching, traveled to 48 states throughout the 1930's. They continuously delighted family and friends with stories of their adventures. In 1942, Hazel became the wife of James Edward Neill, traveling together and residing in South Orange, New Jersey until his death. She then moved to Stroudsburg. At the age of 70, Hazel and her friends were featured on the back cover of a magazine of their trip on horseback through the Grand Canyon. She belonged to many garden clubs, loved to play bridge and read poetry, and was an active member of the Stroudsburg United Methodist Church. The last three years of her life was spend as a resident of Getz Personal Care Home in Jonas, where she created many fond memories. One of her greatest lifetime experiences was having met and shaken the hand of Eleanor Roosevelt on the steps of the United Nations Building in New York City. Hazel of survived by her nieces, Shirley Besecker of Breckenridge, Colorado, Nancy Zuchowski of Whitesboro, New York, nephew, Dick Besecker of Cresco; sister-in-law, Orpha Besecker; grandnieces, Christina Besecker and Stephanie Stock; grandnephew, Stephen Besecker and Charles Crene. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur and Edwin (Ted) Besecker, and sister Pauline Shupp. The Reverend Thomas E. Anderman will conduct a celebration of life at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 15 at the Bolock Funeral Home, corner of routes 940 & 390 in Paradise Valley. There will be a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until the time of service.