Obituary of Joan Ann Azeez

Obituary Joan Azeez (Geary), age 79, of Irving, NY peacefully passed away Monday, October 29, 2018 at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo surrounded by her adoring family. She was born March 27, 1939 in Buffalo, NY to the late William and Edith (Banks) Geary. Joan, also known as “Ma” to many, was a great lover of people. As a young woman she worked in a number of fine dining and also small family owned restaurants, always greeting and serving customers with a smile and her effervescent personality. In the mid 1970’s she and her late husband, Omar Azeez were the owners/operators of the Blue Bird Restaurant & Bar in Silver Creek. Here she made many lifelong friends and “adopted” many young people as family. Truly, she knew no enemies. Joan was a great cook and could pull together a meal for large family gatherings or for restaurant patrons without a hitch. Her Thanksgiving stuffing was the best! She loved her lakeside home in Sunset Bay and enjoyed sharing it by hosting parties and opening it to anyone that wanted to come spend the day, the weekend, or needed a longer-term place to call home when they found themselves on hard times. Joan was always optimistic, loved life, had a wonderful laugh, and a kind, generous spirit. She was compassionate and caring, still making visits with friends that were confined, and cooking and caring for those who were ill. She was always a caregiver that had time for people and room for one more at her table and in her heart. She is already sadly missed. Joan is survived by her three daughters, Debbie Hodil (Steve Zalewski) of Bliss, NY, Brenda Hodil (Tony Catuzza) of Lackawanna, NY, Lisa (Steve) Leavitt of Silver Creek, NY and one son, Robert (Cinnamon) Azeez of Springfield, Mass. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Meredith and Brent Zafuto, Lindsey, Jared and Olivia Leavitt, Stefanie Monaco, Stacey Carbone and Gage and Cole Azeez. She is further survived by 7 great grandchildren, a sister, Donna Eberhardt, many nieces, nephews and friends and her special friend and roommate Antoinette Sicurella. Joan was predeceased by her parents, her husband Omar Azeez, a son, James Hodil, sisters, Mary Geary and Beverly Herbst, brother William Geary and special friend and life partner, Elmo Tippens. A Celebration of Life service followed by a luncheon and time for visitation with the family will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, November 3 at Harvest Chapel Church, 39 Matteson St. Fredonia, NY. The Reverend James LaBarr will be officiating. Arrangements are in the care of Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, Silver Creek, NY. Flowers are gratefully declined. To send flowers to Joan's family, please visit our floral store.