Mrs. Hazel J. (Carone) Spina

July 8, 1928 - December 23, 2020

UTICA - Mrs. Hazel J. (Carone) Spina, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at MVHS Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Born in Utica on July 8, 1928, Hazel was the daughter of the late John and Angeline (Infusino) Carone. She was also blessed with the love of her step-mother, Theresa (Cinque) Caron. She was raised and educated locally. On August 28, 1949 she married Joseph Spina with whom she shared 65 years in a devoted union blessed with three generations of little ones to love. Joseph passed away on September 15, 2013. Hazel retired from the Utica City School District where she worked for over 20 years as a Bus Monitor. A loving, benevolent woman, she had a heart of gold, always gracious and giving. A humanitarian by nature, Hazel humbly cared about the needs of others before her own. An altruistic soul, she lived an honest life, and accomplished acts of kindness with no expectation of recognition or reciprocation. Patriotic and civic-minded, Hazel was a member of the New Hartford American Legion Post #1376. An active woman, she enjoyed riding a bicycle or walking, in her quest for physical fitness. She loved feeding and caring for God’s creatures, especially her cats and birds. For many years, Hazel was a parishioner of Historic Old St. John’s Church, and in later years she was a communicant of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church where she offered her time planning and participating in many church services. She loved her Jesus. Hazel is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Theresa M. and Gary M. Soron, and Mary Patricia and Emedin Rivera; her loving son who cared for her, Louis J. Spina; grandchildren, Jennifer and Ken Stilwell, Danielle Soron, Kalina and Jim, Emedin Rivera Jr., Ariana Rivera, and Gabrielle and Ben Markwart, Jaclyn Spina, and their mother Ann Spina; and her five great-grandchildren, including Christopher Stilwell, and Michael Stilwell, Nonnie’s “Best Friends”. She also leaves her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Elizabeth Carone, Retired/UPD Sgt. Terrance W. and Carol Carone, and Dr. Thomas and Julie Carone; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and sisters-in-law, Frances Spina and Donna Bendino. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Julio Spina. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Hazel’s Memorial Mass of Christian Burial which will take place June 16, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church. Inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at the convenience of the family. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with Hazel’s family through the “Memories” section of her obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support.