Mrs. Hazel Mae Childs, who lived a beautiful and full life of 86 years, passed away peacefully, asleep in her bed, on Sunday morning, October 2, 2016, in the privacy and comfort of her home. Born on August 15, 1930, Hazel was the daughter of the late Clarence and Goldie (Armstrong) Wilford. She was raised and educated in Oneonta before coming to the Mohawk Valley. When Hazel married the love of her life, Emmett F. Childs, on June 15, 1957, her life truly began. Her and her beloved Emmett bought a home in Jacksonburg (a place she was always sure to let you know that she lived) and started a nearly sixty year story of love, family and friends. Minus peeing on Hazel’s roses, the garage door was always open! Hazel, in her early years, hosted all the Childs’ cookouts, as the boys played football and the girls…talked about the boys. Hazel was at her happiest when she was entertaining the ones she loved. As those summer and fall days turned to winter, it was the annual Childs’ Christmas party tour. Those celebrations generally started on Hazel and Emmett’s 70’s show-style green carpeting, and would end up at either Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary Ann’s, or Uncle Tim and Aunt Pearl’s, just across Green Street. One of those parties at Jim and Mary Ann’s ended with a broken tailbone for one sibling; watch the ice! As the years went by, the garage turned into Uncle Emmett’s place to watch his Yankees and Junior’s place to store all of his tools and toys. There were plenty of times that Hazel would tell her husband to “Turn those damn Yankees off and put my Mets on.” When you have a Mets aluminum bottle right next to the TV, you can make that call. The Childs’ family continued to grow larger and to some extent, grew apart. This provided Hazel a new outlet on life as her friend Ola, of more than 50 years, moved from Jacksonburg, and her Junior bought that property. Hazel spent tireless hours with her son bringing the property up to both of their pristine standards. This included Junior and Soulsey’s endless hours creating the Man Cave. As her husband deteriorated in health, the Man Cave became a place for Hazel to find another escape where she enjoyed nothing else but family and friends. Hazel spent the last decade of her life hanging with Junior, while running back over the road to make sure Daddy had something to eat and that the Yankees were losing. Many friends came to the Man Cave to hang out with Junior, and Hazel was ALWAYS there. Her precious red-head, Patty, moved to Tennessee and Hazel enjoyed those long phone calls and frequent visits. Hazel will be remembered for her love of life, her love of Mr. Wilson, and her love of being a straight-shooter. She had no problem putting her son, her nephews and many of Junior’s friends to their knees if they needed it; all of this coming from a lady that never reached 5’2’’ and never weighed more than a Buck Five. Many will remember her getting her picture taken on a fire truck at her 80th birthday party, her dancing in the Man Cave with a neighbor from down the road, or shouting her signature quote, “NaNa NaNa,” when she didn’t agree with you. She will be deeply missed by her best friend, Barb Naracci, whom she spent her weekly trips to Hannaford with. She will also be missed by her grandchildren, as Hazel was as proud a grandmother as there ever could be when it came to her granddaughters, Francesca and Danielle. Danielle moved to Washington, D.C. and brought a lot of pride to her Grandma as she started her legal career. She also made her grandmother a great-grandmother, as Connor and Alexandra entered her life. Danielle still cherishes those times living in the area with her grandparents. Francesca, meanwhile, was fortunate enough to live close to her grandmother, and that’s all that most needed to know. Hazel instilled her love of life to her precious Francesca, and photo opportunities were quite prevalent. Francesca looked at her Grandma as the love of her life and spending ten minutes with the pair made that quite apparent. As her husband spent the last three or four years at Folts Homes, Hazel found her own quiet time, often reading before bed, just as she did on her final night. She also loved going across the road to tend to her favorite yellow lab, Ammo, or her sweet Tiger cat, Tigger. On that Sunday morning that we lost our beloved Hazel, as tens of friends came by to offer their support throughout the day, Tigg Tigg waited in the window, wondering when Grandma was coming to feed him. Hazel will be truly missed by anyone whose life she touched. Everybody that ever stopped through Jacksonburg will truly miss their times with the “Lady in Red.” Emmett and Patty would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for anyone that has offered love, support and kind words over these trying days. Hazel’s legacy will be carried on by those she leaves behind, including her husband, Emmett, Sr.; her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia “Patty” and Jan Roberts of Columbia, TN; her son, Emmett F. Childs, Jr. of Mohawk; her daughter-in-law, Valerie Childs of Frankfort; her granddaughters, Danielle and David Moora of Alexandria, VA and Francesca Childs of Frankfort; her great-grandchildren, Connor and Alexandra Moora; numerous siblings; and her in-laws, Ernie Childs, William Childs, Pearl and Tim Dunn, Mary and Gary Urich, Regina Childs, Mary Childs and Claudia Childs. She also leaves her nieces and nephews, Michael Childs, Debbie Childs, Linda Childs, James Childs, Billy Childs, Mark Childs, Charles Childs, Jr., Claudia Reider, Stacey Michaud, Kelley Macisco, Jill Conway, Timothy Dunn, Gary Urich, Jr., Steven Urich, Timothy Urich, Gretchen Bucenek, along with their spouses and children; her special niece, Barb Urich; close friends, Barb Naracci and Bill and Caroline Scanlon; her beloved animals, Ammo and Tigger; and many others whose lives she has touched throughout the years. She was predeceased by her parents-in-law, William and Evelyn Childs, and her brothers-in-law, Edward, Charles and James Childs. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Hazel’s visitation, which will take place on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road (Town of Frankfort) Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Hazel’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Friday morning, October 7, 2016 at 10:00AM from the chapel of the funeral home, with Sister Mary Jo Tallman, officiating. Procession will follow to Dennison Corners Cemetery, where Hazel will be laid to rest. In the spirit of Hazel’s love for animals, please consider memorial contributions to the Herkimer County Humane Society, 514 NY Route 5s, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Childs’ family has entrusted the care of their mother and grandmother to their lifelong friend and funeral director, Martin Ciaccia, and funeral directors, Harry and Kevin Enea, of the Enea and Ciaccia Family Funeral Home.