Obituary of Hazel M. Gillespie

Hazel M. Gillespie, age 88, formerly of 1020 South Scott Blvd., Iowa City, died Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at the Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville following a lengthy illness. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 21, 2004, at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, Hazel’s family requests memorial donations be made in her memory to Iowa City Hospice. Hazel M. (McTague) Gillespie was born May 19, 1916, in Cleveland, OH, the daughter of George and Elsie (Clevey) McTague. She married John Paul Gillespie Sr. on January 8, 1945 in New Orleans, LA., and she devoted herself to making a beautiful home for her family throughout their life in the military, which took them to many places around the world. The couple moved to Iowa City in 1967 following John’s retirement the United States Air Force. In Iowa City, Hazel was an active member of the community, volunteering for many years at the Mercy Hospital gift shop. She loved flower arranging, especially the Japanese floral art of Ikebana, and she was gifted at ceramic and oil painting and needlepoint as well. Her love of these arts was exceeded only by her love of her family. Her family includes a daughter and her husband, Lee and David Green of Las Vegas, NV; her son, John Paul Gillespie Jr. of St. Helena, CA; and two granddaughters, Kelly Green of Las Vegas, and Alexandra Gillespie of Iowa City. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; and brother, Harold “Mike” McTague.