Hazel M. Taylor

WATERVILLE -- Hazel M. Taylor, 98, a resident of Oak Grove Rehabilitation & Living Center, Waterville, died Friday evening, Feb. 27, 2009.

She was born in Auburn on Sept. 3, 1910, the daughter of George and Ethel Eveleth.

Hazel was a graduate of Edward Little High School and attended the Normal School, now known as the University of Maine at Gorham. Hazel retired as office manager from the Department of Human Services after 33 years of employment.

Hazel was meticulous in tracking her expenses and, until recent months, could balance her checkbook by memory. She drove until the age of 89 and, at that time, lived alone with assistance from her dear friend Darlene Cloutier.

Hazel was a wonderfully social person and a member of the Augusta Country Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and Eastern Star, Queen Esther Order No. 10 of Portland.

Following her retirement, Hazel traveled extensively with her friend Peg Emerson. Her favorite road trip was to Florida with her niece, Anna Chandler.

Hazel resided in her young adult years with an aunt in New Jersey and took in the bright lights of Manhattan. She returned to Auburn, where she married Owen.

She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Owen Taylor; a daughter, Janice; son Ronald; and her sister Erma Eveleth Chandler.

Hazel is survived by a brother, Lawrence Eveleth of Buxton; a daughter, Sherry Barker and her husband, Fred, of Wilton; a son, G. Donald Taylor and his wife, Nancy, of Mount Vernon; seven grandchildren: Ronald, Terrie, Dawn-Lynn and Daniel Taylor, and Janice, Paul and Kelly Sabin, along with six great-grandchildren; her nephew, James Chandler of Hallowell; niece Anna Chandler of Albany, N.Y.; her "granddog," Peggie Sue Taylor; and all her "family" at Oak Grove who gave her such wonderful, thoughtful care.

At Hazel's request there will be no visitation. A graveside memorial service will take place in the spring of 2009 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Tribute Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942; or Oak Grove Employee Fund, Attn: Pam Burke, 27 Cool St., Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home Web site at www.plum merfh.com.