Hazel Laux
Hazel Laux, 83, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Hope Hospice in Ocala, Fla., after a long illness. She was born Aug. 18, 1925, in Pelzer, S.C., to Ruth McJunkin, who died when she was a toddler.
She was raised by Leonard and Lillian Kelley. She was a descendant of Laodicea Springfield, a famous female Revolutionary War patriot.
She graduated from Pickens High School in 1943. She moved to Erie, Pa., shortly after World War II. She did volunteer work, including for the Erie Center for the Blind. She was a member of the Luella Rebekah Lodge for a number of years.
In 1968, she bought Carmel’s Grocery on West Eighth Street, which she operated until 1976, when she moved to Lehigh Acres. She became a real estate agent for Roy Realtors. After marrying Harland Laux, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Chevron station he operated.
Harley preceded her in death in 2001.
She enjoyed traveling, cooking, crafting, shopping and beach-combing, and her grandchildren. A friend to all animals, she frequently nursed injured wildlife back to health and was always tolerant of stray animals that were brought home by her children. She had a passion for gardening, and kept her young family supplied with canned and frozen vegetables and jams.
In recent years, she became known for collecting caterpillars from her shrubs and nurturing them to become butterflies in her pool lanai. “Grandma Butterfly” was a very serious crafter, collecting shells on Sanibel and other islands to create gorgeous mirrors and flower arrangements. She also made wonderful feather angels and many other craft items that were quickly sold at shows.
She is survived by her son, Michael Groh (Pamela Smith) of Clearwater; daughters, Carol Walburn Marlow of Blooming Valley, Ohio, Jeanne Walburn Gaines (BJ Johnson) of Citra, Fla., Susan Groh (Timothy Trampenau) of McKean, Pa., and Kathy Groh Fruehauf (Mark Fruehauf) of Brunswick, Maine; stepson, James Groh (Maria) of San Antonio, Texas; stepdaughter, Kathy Laux King (Randy King) of Toledo, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
There was a cremation. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at the First Baptist Church of Lehigh, 1102 Lehigh Heights Blvd., Lehigh Acres.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, 2010 Arcadia St., Fort Myers, FL 33916, or the animal shelter of your choice.