Hazel McCullough

1934 - 2016

Hazel M. McCullough

Beacon - Hazel McCullough, a longtime resident of Beacon, passed away peacefully, in her home, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 25th, after a long illness. She was 82 years old.

She was born in Cold Spring, NY, on February 26, 1934. Hazel was the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Muschock) Scoba and was one of nine children. Hazel was predeceased by her parents; sisters Hasha Scoba, Catherine (Darwin) Timmerman, Helen (Benjamin) Bertoline, Susan (Charles) Rapalje and Mary (Charles) Etta; two brothers Charles (Catherine) Scoba and Michael (Barbara) Scoba. She is survived by her loving sister Margaret Giachinta of Cold Spring, residing in VA, and predeceased by Margaret's husband Tony. Hazel had many nieces and nephews.

Hazel attended Haldane High School in Cold Spring, NY, and Kingston Nursing Hospital, Kingston, NY, where she was capped in 1954 and graduated and received her nursing license in 1957. Hazel worked at Butterfield Hospital in Cold Spring after graduation and for many years later in her career, at Mount St. Mary's Infirmary in Newburgh, NY caring for retired Dominican Sisters of Hope, an opportunity of which she loved, and taught us all the compassion and challenges of caring for the elderly. She spoke of her Sisters often. She prided herself as being one of the only nurses still to wear her nurse's cap as part of her uniform.

She married Michael J. McCullough, Jr. on June 1st, 1957, at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Cold Spring. They were married for 59 years and together they raised three children. Her husband Michael survives at home. She was a member of St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon.

Hazel was a loving and beloved wife, wonderful mother to her children and grandmother to Samantha and Mikey, and made every family gathering and holiday special for her family. Hazel was very fashion-forward, and loved wearing stylish hats. She was an amazing woman, fantastic cook, baker and homemaker. Hazel spent many early summers, when her children were young, vacationing on the beaches of Long Beach Island, NJ with her family, and loved the sun. Hazel enjoyed shopping, and browsing the shops and boutiques, everywhere she went, with a fondness for antiques. In her retirement years, Hazel spent the winter months in Cocoa Beach, FL with her husband, and relaxed with longs days on the beach, far away from the cold of New York, in the company of their many beach friends, near the pier. Her children and grandchildren often visited their parents in Cocoa Beach and have many, many wonderful memories to cherish. Hazel loved spending time with her grandchildren and being there for all of their accomplishments. Her sincere and unconditional love will be greatly and forever missed.

Survivors include her husband Michael, at home; daughter Ellen McCullough of Newburgh, NY, son Michael McCullough III and his wife Shana, grandchildren Samantha and Michael IV, of Beacon, NY; son Patrick McCullough and Jessica Pascal, her son David Pascal, of Beacon, NY.

A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2016 Halvey Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Willow Street, Beacon. A Mass of Christian Burial and Remembrance will be offered on Friday, October 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim Church, 51 Leonard Street, in Beacon, NY. This mass will be officiated by retired Monsignor Patrick J. Keenan, a family friend. Burial will follow at St. Joachim Cemetery, Beacon.

Memorial donations in Hazel's honor can be made via mail to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018, online to www.support.pdf.org , or to St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church, 2 Oak Street, Beacon, NY 12508.

To send the family a personal condolence please visit www.halveyfh.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of Peter T. and Patrick J. Halvey of Halvey Funeral Home, Inc.