Celia Hazel Oliver

Celia Hazel Oliver, age 91, of Lebanon, Ohio, formerly of Coshocton, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024. She was born in Birmingham, England, on February 27, 1933, to the late George C. and Mabel (Barnatt) Barke and grew up in Sunninghill, England.

In January of 1956, Hazel and her husband, Alex, immigrated to the United States along with her parents. Hazel and Alex were married at The Presbyterian Church of Coshocton on March 31, 1956, with the Reverend Harold Kaiser officiating. The rolling hills of Coshocton became their permanent home, where they would eventually raise their three children and become naturalized U.S. citizens in 1969. Hazel and Alex remained active members of The Presbyterian Church for many years.

Hazel found simple joy in sharing laughter, stories, and warm meals among family and friends. Her creative and handy spirit flourished in the arts of knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Between the years of 1980 and 1986, she channeled her artistry with a part-time job at Three Rivers Pottery.

Gentle creatures knew Hazel’s gardens, in both Ohio and Florida, as safe spaces to commune amongst the comfort of nature. Within the home, Hazel and Alex cherished the company of pet cats and poodle dogs.

Kindness was always first-nature to Hazel, a seed that flowered in her heart, no matter the circumstance. Her pure smile and sing-song voice filled any room with a sweet, undeniable joy. Throughout her life, Hazel maintained a warm and inviting home, always prepared to host loved ones with a home-cooked meal and a homey stay.

Among a lifetime of memories, family and friends hold dear a photograph taken in 1943 of Hazel and her sisters, Gwen and Babe. They stand together at the edge of an ocean in South England, holding their dresses above the lapping waves, faces memorialized mid-laughter — a testament to their ability to find joy, even among the reality of war. Hazel loved her sisters dearly, and the family finds comfort in knowing that they are reunited once again, along with other loved ones that have passed.

Hazel is survived by her three children, Celia Oliver of Greenfield, NH, Keith (Nancy) Oliver of Mason, OH and Terry (Voni) Oliver of Indianapolis, IN; six grandchildren: Robert, Tim, and Emily Oliver, and Ian, Kaylee, and Sam Oliver; four great-grandchildren: Miles and Max Oliver and Quinn and Graham Oliver and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 59 years, Alex Oliver, and her two sisters, Gwen Stotler and Babe Thompson.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Given-Dawson-Paisley Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home at 12:00 pm with Pastor Tyler Rollinson officiating. Burial will be held at Canal Lewisville Church.

Because of the outstanding care and compassion of the team of nurses and aides from Crossroads Hospice of Dayton, OH, the family respectfully requests that those who wish to do so make a donation to Crossroads in lieu of flowers. Donations may be sent by mail to Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation, 10810 E. 45th Street, Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 74146, or online at https://crhcf.org/donate/.

An online memorial can be viewed at http://www.given-dawson-pasielyfh.com.