Hazel May Ashcroft, 95, of Philipsburg, died Thursday at the Altoona Hospital. She was the last of her generation.
Born April 13, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Paul F. and May (Overly) Mickey. She was a member of the New Life Center, Philipsburg.
Mrs. Ashcroft was an active member of her church, always giving generously of her time and talents. She began playing the piano at the age 13.
She was an organist and pianist in her father’s church, the Philipsburg E.U.B. Church and the New Life Center for many years. She continued to play well in her 80’s.
She especially enjoyed outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, boating and camping with her husband, daughters and their friends.
Along with being a homemaker and mother, Mrs. Ashcroft was a defense worker with Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, NY during World War II, a beauty school teacher in Altoona and later was associated with the Cold Stream Motel, a family-owned and operated business.
She was a 1935 graduate of the Philipsburg High School and later graduated from the Rudamar Beauty School, Altoona and the Harris Conservatory of Music, Pittsburgh.
She wed George H. “Grub” Ashcroft May 24, 1947, whom preceded her in death April 26, 1993. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Beaty and two infant brothers, Leo and Paul Mickey.
Surviving are two daughters, Nina Dvorchak and her husband, Jim of Narberth and Dorothy Shimel and her husband, Brad of Florence, MA; two grandchildren, Emily Dvorchak of Narberth and Ethan Shimel of Greenfield, MA; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the New Life Center, Philipsburg, with the Rev. John T. Dill officiating. Burial will be in the Philipsburg Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg, and from 2 p.m. until the hour of services Tuesday at the church.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Pacific Garden Mission, 1458 S. Canal St., Chicago IL 60607 or to the New Life Center, Beaver and Second St, Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Online condolences may be sent to beezer-heathfuneralhome.com.