Hazel Alexandrea (Nee Stewart) Pontillo

Bluffton, SC: Hazel Alexandrea Pontillo (née Stewart), 71, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 25, 2024. Born to William and Iris Stewart in Edgewater, NJ, she later moved to Las Vegas and ultimately settled in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Hazel was a dedicated and hardworking woman who began her career as a special needs bus driver. She then worked at Palace Station in Las Vegas before concluding her professional journey as a teaching assistant. Hazel lived life to the fullest, forging lifelong friendships that reflected her zest for life and her love for those she met along her journey from Edgewater to Las Vegas to her final home in Sun City, SC. Above all, her greatest passion was her family, whom she loved deeply and cared for with unwavering concern.

Hazel is survived by her beloved husband, Salvatore Pontillo, with whom she shared a beautiful love story that touched all who knew them. She leaves behind her loving stepchildren, Salvatore and his wife Lisa, and Michael and his wife Jody, as well as her cherished grandchildren, Haley and her husband Christopher, Salvatore, and Dominic Pontillo, and her great-granddaughter, Charlotte. She is also survived by her sisters: Michelle Matus (deceased, Donald), Vicky Dearnley (Derek), and Sandra Petescola (George), and her brothers William (deceased, Yolanda), “Chipper” Alexander (Charisse), Scott (Marybeth), and the late “Rusty” Gary and Stephan Stewart. Additionally, she is remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews who cherished her and regarded her as more than an aunt.

Hazel’s spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until 4:30 pm on Wednesday October 30, 2024 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton with a Celebration Of Life to begin at 4:30 pm at Sauls Funeral Home.