Hazel O'Neil Ford, passed away peacefully in her sleep, early Monday, July 20, 2009. Hazel was born at home on Oneida Street in Sauquoit on November 26, 1919 to parents Julia Gahan and Thomas O'Neil. She began school in Clayville before attending and graduating from Sauquoit High School in 1940. Hazel married Elmer W. Ford of Waterville on October 14, 1943 in an Army Chapel in Paris, Tennessee before Elmer was shipped overseas to serve in WWII. Hazel was employed by Savage Arms in Utica during the war, then later by Hamilton College and the Sears Roebuck Company before retiring from Howlands Department Store of New Hartford. Hazel was a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton and St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Waterville. She was a former member of the Edward L. Clonan American Legion Post #1000 Ladies Auxiliary in Chadwicks, the Chadwicks Village Elders and the Sauquoit Senior Center. A mother of five children, Hazel was predeceased by two sons, Alan Thomas and Kenneth Neil, a brother Kenneth O'Neil, a brother Thomas O'Neil, a brother Dennis O'Neil and his wife Esther, a sister Ruth and her husband James English, a sister Mary and her husband Richard Grant, a sister Agnes and her husband Fred Collins, and a sister Helen and her husband Roy Dawes. Hazel lived 45 years of her married life in Clinton, before she and Elmer moved to Waterville to live out their retirement years. Hazel enjoyed traveling with her husband, volunteering at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, visiting with friends and family, and tending her flowers. She is survived by her husband of over 65 years, Elmer, son William Ford and wife Florence of Oriskany Falls and their children, Tom Luchsinger and Susan Card and her son Sam Vincent, son Wayne Ford and his wife Pamela of Utica, daughter Darlene Ford and her husband Carlton Clark of Waterville, granddaughter Korryn Ford of Waterville, and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 am at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Waterville. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Clinton. Calling hours are Wednesday evening from 4-7 at the Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, 210 E. Main St., Waterville. Hazel's family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Community Memorial Hospital Extended Care Facility in Hamilton for their tender care and compassion during her stay.