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Hazel Ciocci Obituary
FREEVILLE - Hazel G. Rollins Ciocci, age 96, of 226 Sheldon Road, Freeville, NY, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at the Groton Nursing Facility. Hazel was born October 14, 1911 in Solvay, NY, a daughter of the late Joseph and Arletta Raymond Lockwood. She was employed at Smith Corona and later at the Collegetown Motel. Her husbands, Hobart "Bill" Rollins died July 27, 1967 and Taft Ciocci died November 13, 1987. She enjoyed machine bowling, chatting with friends and watching birds.
Survivors include her children, Phyllis Anderson of Lansing, Florence Wiiki of Freeville, and Jane (Dick) Ellis of Freeville; twenty grandchildren, fifty-three great-grandchildren, thirty-three great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sons-in-law, Bud Day and Jim Anderson; and daughters-in-law, Sharron Rollins Spirawk and Florence Rollins. She was predeceased by her two sons, Barney and Arthur Rollins.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2008, at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Alan Kinney officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Ithaca. Friends are invited to call from 12 to 1 p.m., Monday at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. Memorials are directed to the Dryden Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 397, Dryden, NY 13053; or Hospicare, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Hazel Ciocci
Beverly (Buddy Sr's girlfriend)
July 6, 2008
I was amazed to watch the care that Hazel's three daughters gave her during her hospital stay and then nursing home stay. They were advocates for her care, loving, always taking shifts so she was not alone while awake, it just touched my heart to see their devotion, she was a lucky woman.
Ray Wiiki
July 3, 2008
I first met Gramma Hazel in 1952 when I went to work on their farm during my senior year in high school. I was immediately accepted as part of the family. I've since learned that that is God's way, also. The moment we decide to serve Him, we become part of His family.
Phyllis, Flo, and Jane, you've been wonderful daughters to your mother, carrying on her tradition of hard work and fair play. Now that she's gone on ahead to wait for us on that other shore, cling to each other. The Bible says that a three-fold cord is not easily broken. With you three that is especially true.
Believing that Jesus died for all of us, I ask His blessing on all who remain.
Gramma Hazel, I'll see you in the morning. Have the coffee ready. You're going to have plenty of company—and the chores can wait.
Phyllis Anderson
July 3, 2008
Our Father in Heaven I thank you for the many many years you let us have our MOM. As hard as it was to let her go, I know it was time for her to go home. Now she can rest and get things in place as she waits for us to come home one by one.
God Bless you Mom
All the love in the world
Phyllis
Melissa Granger and Family
July 2, 2008
I'm so sorry to hear of Grandma Ciocci's passing. I met her many times at Jim and Mary's house. She was not my grandma but I never knew her real name. My boys and I always called her Grandma Ciocci and she never seemed to mind. I still remember Jim taking her out in the field in a car and her bouncing around and laughing, having such a great time. And, how she loved her popcorn. I never realized she had so many grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren. I know we will miss her and think of her often. Please accept my condolences.
Florence Wiiki
July 2, 2008
Mom,I want you to know you will be missed soooooo much I can not put it all in word's.I could count on a phone call every morning at 8:25 to check in on me.If i planned on coming over to see you and the roads had a little snow on them you called and told me to stay home until the roads were cleared.I didn't listen very well i would come over any how ,had to make sure you were ok. I know you are in good hands now so rest in peace. I just want you to know you are loved and will be missed by every one of us.Love Flo and family
Mary Proctor
July 1, 2008
What can I say that has not already been said. Grandma was the best. As my daughter said she was her hero and mine, I would also say she was my best friend. I have such great memories of Granny. So I will use up my space to reach out to the extended family. FYI, Buddy's son Barry is creating a family tree on ancestry.com. I will be helping him fill in some of the missing information for Phyllis' family. If you would like to supply information regarding your family let me know and we will update it. Once we have it completed we will make sure everyone gets a copy. I will be making a dvd of family pictures, if you would like a copy let me know. Also, I was wondering if anyone would like a family newsletter, we could send it out via email or if you do not have a computer I could mail it. Deb mention something about have a family reunion around Grandma's bday. Not sure if she thought this year would be work, but we should definitely plan something big for the year 2011 when Grandma would have been 100. Let me know what you think. We love you Grandma!!!!!!!
Cyndi Burke
June 30, 2008
Ciocci~
I've been trying to think of things to say to you since you left us. The truth is, everything around me reminds me of you. i remember sitting in the back of your car watching mom and David play softball, eating pepperoni with Benji. we would be so far away we couldn't tell who was batting but you would always yell, "hit the ball!" you would always come to my softball games, park just as far away and i'm sure you would be yelling at me to hit the ball! i remember whenever my kids would come see you at grandma phyllis house you would tell them to "come here so i can see how big you've gotten." you could calm them down my just holding them and touching them with your magic Ciocci touch. i remember any of the family gatherings me and Chrissy would meet you at the car, grab one of your arms and help you walk to the chair with the nice soft cushion for you to sit in. you always said you didnt need any help, but you didn't hesitate to grab our arms. Ciocci as I'm forced to say goodbye to you I realize just how much you really mean to me. you were a spitfire thats for sure, and your name is always fun to say. But most importantly you loved us with everything you had, and you never had to say the words we just knew. I'm thankful that you were able to meet my children and you even kissed my fiance a few times! but you know what, he loved it just as much as you did. you enjoy those men up there and keep them in line. Remember that nobody is ever going to be quite like you and maybe that's a good thing. I love you Grandma, may you rest in peace.
Love always
Cyndi,Zoie,Zayvion and CoCo
chrissy and mckayla burke
June 30, 2008
you are the best grandma anyone could ever ask for. when i was young you would take me to the gin mill and sign up while you gave me quarters to play the bowling machine. and no one could ever make chicken noodle soup like you. i am not sure of what you did different but no one ever made it the same. then as i got older we would talk about young men and i remember when you flashed me at grandma phyllis's house(which was not that long ago.) i miss you a lot and love you more than you will ever know. anyone who ever got the pleasure to know you was very lucky and so am i because you are my grandma. i love and miss you very much., keep everyone in line up there and see you later.
Martha Conrad
June 29, 2008
Jane and family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
I met Grandma Hazel in Texas many years ago. She visited us at the Snook Watering Hole and left a lasting impression. She was a joy to sit and talk to - when we could get her off the dance floor! I seem to remember it took several of us to boost her up into Gwen's ford bronco where ever we went!) She was a great lady.
Family Members
June 29, 2008
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be
so he put his arms around you
and whispered,
Come to Me.
With tearful eyes we watch you
and saw you pass away
and although we loved you dearly
we could not make you stay.
A Golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove us
he only takes the best
Barbara Rollins Jackson
June 29, 2008
As Gwen said so well,"we all have special memories" of this special lady..I am proud to be her oldest ( I won't say how old) grandchild and have many of those same memories and others..I called her Grandma Rollins and then later she was just Gram. I think my first memory was of Gram rocking me in her rocking chair as a small child.Then I remember riding with her to pick up Art or Jane, running and playing with the other kids on her wrap-around porch at the house in Caanan, playing dress-up in her high heel shoes, and watching her at bedtime put on noxcema face cream.. I don't remember Gram saying "I love you", but I knew that she did by her actions. She would help me wash the dishes so I wouldn't have to do my chores alone..She was with Butch,Bud and me when we had our tonsils taken out and was with us at other times when we needed her ..It was a big day for me when I grew taller than her(I think I was 10 years old) and I didn't grow much taller after that..Now all my children and grandchildren are growing taller than me(pay back, I guess)...I'll never forget her laugh and the many things that she taught me..She was an important person in my life and I loved her very much.. My prayers and thoughts are with the family especially Aunt Phil, Aunt Flo, and Aunt Jane ..God Bless You, Barb or as Gram called me "hippie".
Gwen Pulkkinen (Day)
June 28, 2008
Being just one grandchild out of the 106 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great- great grandchildren, I know everyone has their own special memories of Gramma Hazel. Some of those memories will be shared and laughed over while others will remain personal and close to the heart.
I will especially remember the days when Hazel’s daily routine consisted of stopping by the Gin Mill to ‘sign the book” for a quarter and going to Rogues Harbor where she seemed to have a never ending supply of “good for one beer” chips. She liked the bowling machines and to sit and visit. Everyone knew and loved visiting with her. She had a great laugh. Occasionally mom or one of my aunts would get a call to come pick her up; which was a job in itself. Gramma would go, but not without letting everyone know that she didn’t need their help! She was independent. I can still picture one particular car she drove at the time that had stacks of cushions on the seat so she could see over the dashboard and a block of wood tied around the gas pedal so she could reach the floor. She was resourceful. I use to go to the golf course with Hazel and Tom and she and I would have cocktail hour while Tom played. No one had informed me of Hazel’s special vase that she kept in the back seat for when her bladder called. Imagine my surprise the first time I saw her leap over the front seat! She was creative.
Having moved away, I have only seen Hazel during a few short visits over the years. The last time was for her 90th birthday party. She still had that spunk that I always remembered and admired. She walked into the bar area and dad was going to help her up on the stool but in her normal fashion, she smacked him in the arm and told him she could do it herself! Of all the different memories each of have of Hazel, I think everyone will agree that she was and always will be the coolest mom, grandmother, great grandmother and great -great grandmother ever. She was loved.
Diane Jolly Poole Parker
June 28, 2008
I can't help but think of the ripple effect when you drop a small stone in a body of water. One small spunky lady has had a very big impact in this world. When I think of all of you that wouldn't have been here if it weren't for Hazel, it is amazing. I will always remember with fondness the good times our families have had. My thoughts and prayers are with you. With sympathy and love. Diane
Dianne Burke
June 28, 2008
Grandma, We will all miss you, but know you are in a better place with others that you love. Tell Tom, Art, Barney, and Grandpa Rollins that we all love them and miss them too. You were the greatest grandma , great grandma, and great great grandma that we could ever ask for. I love you very much, see you later.
Dianne and family
Jean Dennis (Laura Shea's mom)
June 28, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time of your life.
Barb Barron
June 27, 2008
Flo and families,
Was so sorry to read about your Mom. I didn't know your Mom but always heard good things about her from my late Aunt Doris Teeter. Mom's are so hard to lose and my sincere concolences to all of Hazel's family.
jane ellis
June 27, 2008
mom we love you very much and will miss you a great deal you were always there for me and my family. someday we will all be together again love forever jane ande family
Kate
June 27, 2008
I am sure it will be a tough time but my thought are with everyone. May she rest in peace. My prayers go out to everyone.
MARY VANOSTRAND
June 27, 2008
my thoughts an prayers are with you.
Denise Kirk (formerly Park)
June 27, 2008
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I remember Gramma Ciocci. She was a wonderful fun loving lady who I know will be missed greatly.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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