Lois Jewell Hurd

On Monday October 3, Lois Jewell Hurd (Jewell), our mother passed away peacefully at age 94 in Sarasota, FL. Born to Clinton and Lois Thornton in Chester, PA and living in Chester after high school she was employed at a company that manufactured rayon and other synthetic fibers. She then worked for many years as a telephone operator for AT&T. Around Christmas time of 1947, my father, Harry Hurd noticed a strikingly beautiful woman with jet black hair walk into a Holiday party that happened to be given by mutual acquaintances. She was wearing an equally striking, knee length red coat with black trim. He turned to his best friend, Ed Lawrence and said: “I’m going to marry that woman.” Indeed, on September 24, 1949, they were married. Their union lasted until my father’s passing at age 86 in 2010. They had four children; David of Beachwood NJ, Lawrence (Larry- wife Rita Hollingsworth Hurd) of Osprey FL, Robert (Rob- wife Jane Snyder Hurd) of West Long Branch NJ, and Lois Elaine (Elaine- husband Roger Hettema) of Nokomis FL. Rita brought two wonderful step grandchildren Ashley of Wilmington, DE and Taylor of Colorado. Both have grown into great women. Rob and Jane gave Jewell a granddaughter Samantha of West Long Branch. Sam has grown up now to be a fantastic woman, beautiful inside and out. Mom and Dad lived in Chester PA, Claymont DE, Wilmington DE (Kingsridge), Toms River NJ and in 2005 moved into a retirement community in Lakewood NJ called Covington Village which my mother absolutely loved. In 2016, Mom moved to Sarasota FL, very close to Larry and Elaine. She enjoyed bowling, reading and above all socializing at events, meals with family and friends, clubs, and at church. Wherever she went people would comment on how great she was. Her light did indeed shine so strong and naturally as she walked this planet. She carried this sweetness to the very end to which nurses commented on as remarkable since so many dementia patients get grouchy and nasty. She was always there for us. Always. Finally, we are reminded of a song by Neil Young which has this line through out: “Keep me searching for a heart of gold, And I’m getting old.” She did indeed have a heart of gold. Solid, 24 carat gold. Mom, we will love you forever and a day. To the moon and back. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 7, 2022, at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. In lieu of flowers, gifts, etc. it would be appreciated, if possible, to have donations made in her name to organizations fighting dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. www.alz.org

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Lois Jewell Hurd

October 3, 2022