Ezilda Oliver

THE CASEY FAMILY IS HONORED TO BE ASSISTING AND CARING FOR THE FAMILY EZILDA OLIVER “Devoted, wife, mother and grandmother” Middlebury – Ezilda “Hazel” Oliver, age 99, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021 at Middlebury Convalescent Hospital. She was the widow of Arnold Oliver Sr. with whom she spent 34 years. Ezilda was born on March 2, 1921 in Taunton, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Aurelia Mendes. Ezilda and her husband, Arnold co-owned and operated a successful restaurant business from 1942 – 1972 (Arnold’s Restaurant – Waterbury, CT). They raised four children together. Ezilda loved working as a cook at the Watertown Convalarium and worked there from 1973 to 1990. She enjoyed gardening, teaching grandkids how to cook and most of all, spending time with family, especially having everyone over for dinner. She had an open-door policy to family and friends. Ezilda was always welcoming, loving, patient, kind, generous and supportive. She was a resilient woman who overcame many of life’s challenges while still maintaining hope and optimism for the next day. She was and always will be an inspiration to us all. We will always be thankful we had her in our lives, a remarkable woman with a funny sense of humor. We will cherish all the many memories. Left to honor Ezilda’s love and legacy are her children; Manuel Oliver of Waterbury, CT, Arnold M. Oliver (Raffaela) of Oakville, CT, her daughter, Suzanne O. Neuman of Colorado, her daughter in law, Elaine Oliver of Tennessee, 10 grandchildren, Michael Oliver, Catherine Oliver, Susan Jamison (John), Martin Oliver, Daniel Oliver, Mark Oliver (Kathleen), Jennifer Spadafora (Mike), Jeremy Oliver (Ann), Margaret Cooke (Cameron) and Jason C Moody. She also leaves behind 14 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Chris Oliver. The family would like to thank all the staff of Middlebury Convalescent Home for all their kind and loving care. Funeral Services for Mrs. Oliver will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from the O’Neill Funeral Home 742 Main St Oakville, CT 06779 to Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 16 Buckingham St, Oakville, CT 06779 to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Mt Olivet Cemetery. Family and friends may visit with Ezilda’s family for a walk-through visitation only on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. All governmental restrictions related to the COVID19 pandemic will be strictly enforced. To honor Ezilda’s memory, and in lieu of flowers, donations to Connecticut Food bank, https://www.ctfoodbank.org/ and/or to Saint Mary Magdalen School, 140 Buckingham St, Oakville, CT 06779 would be greatly appreciated by her family. Due to Covid -19, the Family is looking forward to a ‘Celebration of Life’ Memorial reunion this summer. Memories endure only if you share them so please feel free to leave words of condolence or a personal memory on Ezilda’s tribute page at www.oneillfuneralhome.com.