Hazel L Miles

Born October 23, 1932 in Loretto, Kentucky, Hazel was the youngest of nine children. She was a proud descendant of the Catholic pioneers from Maryland who settled in Kentucky’s “Holy Land” in the late 1700s, a heritage that shaped her deep and abiding faith. Three of her six brothers dedicated their lives to religious service as priests and missionaries.

Hazel attended Webster College for one year before returning to Loretto, then moved to Louisville, where she worked as a secretary at an appliance store. It was there that she met Daniel Miles Jr. They married in November 1954 at St. Francis Church in Loretto and built a loving life together. Hazel and Dan raised five children in their home in Briarwood on the eastern edge of Louisville, where Hazel remained until her final year. She was the last of the original homeowners in Briarwood. She was also a founding member of the original Mother of Good Counsel Church and school, which later merged with St. Bernadette.

Hazel loved sports and was an avid baseball fan who cheered passionately for the Boston Red Sox in her youth, much to the chagrin of her Yankees-loving brothers. Upon her marriage, she began following the Cincinnati Reds and Gus Bell, who was husband Dan’s childhood friend and best man at their wedding. She enjoyed playing catch with her sons in the backyard, and in later years took up golf.

In addition to her devotion to family, Hazel was engaged in her community. She volunteered at polling places for elections and served as a juror on one of Louisville’s most historic murder trials.

After Dan’s passing in 1994, Hazel embraced her independence, obtaining her driver’s license at age 62. She also traveled the country with her niece Betty, and played golf with her best friend Hinda.

Hazel is survived by her five children, Kevin Miles (Sue), Karen Miles (Larry), Joe Miles (Cheryl), Jan Shuler, and David Miles, five grandchildren, four step grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Her bright and youthful voice, filled with energy and love, will be missed and cherished in the hearts of all who knew her.

A funeral Mass celebrating Hazel’s life will be held at St. Bernadette on January 16th at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the church. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hosparus.