Treva Laing

The mother of a long-time Libby resident, Treva Elizabeth Hertel Laing, age 97, died of natural causes surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, in Orlando, Fla.

Mrs. Laing was born on June 20, 1908, in Van Wert, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Katharine Hertel. She grew up on a farm with her six brothers and sisters. She was a graduate of Van Wert High School, Class of 1926. She graduated from the Illinois Training School for Nurses at Cook County Hospital in Chicago.

She met and married the love of her life, Bruce Odean Laing in 1929. They lived in Chicago during the Great Depression and the days of Al Capone while Bruce completed dental school at Loyola University. Two children, Bob and Gerry, were born to them in Chicago. The family decided to settle back in Mrs. Laing's hometown of Van Wert, Ohio, where they established a family dental practice. The family welcomed two more children, Vern and Dorothy, born in Van Wert, Ohio.

Mrs. Laing was an accomplished homemaker and enjoyed preparing meals for her immediate and extended family. She was an energetic volunteer for the American Red Cross, the Van Wert Woman's Club and the Pink Ladies hospital auxiliary. She was a Christian and a founding family member of Trinity Methodist Church in Van Wert, Ohio. Mrs. Laing moved to Orlando in 1974. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Orlando.

During her 30 years in Orlando, Mrs. Laing enjoyed many visits from all of her children, grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren. She lived a beautiful Christian life as the loving matriarch of her large family. She was well-loved and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Dr. Bruce Odean Laing and her son, Dr. Robert Bruce Laing. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary Laing of Van Wert, Ohio; her daughter Gerry and husband Dr. Tom Fennessy of Libby; her son Dr. Vern Odean Laing and wife, Olga of Dallas, Texas; and her daughter Dottie and husband Mr. Gordon (Stumpy) Harris of Orlando, Fla. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott Laing of Van Wert, Ohio; Kevin Laing of Van Wert, Ohio; Brian Laing of Van Wert, Ohio; Terry Fennessy of Memphis, Tenn.; Tim Fennessy of Spokane, Wash.; Tammy Marsden of Spokane, Wash.; Tracy Kriskovich of Tracy, Calif; Laura Laing Gordon of Jackson, S.C.; Libby Waddell of Phoenix, Ariz.; Bruce Laing of Dallas, Texas; Lydia Hockemeyer of Dallas, Texas; Sarah Overmeyer of Orlando, Fla.; and Bruce Harris of Orlando, Fla. She is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

The funeral was at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 2499 N. Westmoreland Drive in Orlando, Fla.. Internment will be at a later date in Van Wert, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Van Wert County Foundation/Van Wert Performing Arts Center, 130 E. Main St., Van Wert, OH 45891.