Obituary: Hazel Maxine (Rutter) Eldridge

Hazel Maxine (Rutter) Eldridge passed on May 23 at the age of 99, due to the complications of COVID infection. She joins her beloved husband, Parker Neville, and son, Frank Otis.

A native of Elwood City, Pennsylvania, she joined the civil service after World War II and served oversees at the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran. While there, she met and married Parker, a career Marine who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Following his military career, Maxine and Parker settled on Grand Island where they raised four children. She was active in Tuesday Crafters, the Golden Age Center, and knitted caps and scarfs for the homeless, as well as cancer caps for local hospitals. She is the world recordholder as the oldest person to ever do a shotski, which she completed in Breckenridge, Colorado, on her 99th birthday.

She is survived by three children: John, Debra and Sandra; by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A private memorial is planned. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to www.HospiceBuffalo.com.

Share condolences at kaiserfuneral.com.