Laura PG Hazard

READFIELD – Laura PG Hazard, 73, of Readfield, passed away on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023 while surrounded by family at MaineGeneral’s Alfond Center for Health in Augusta following a battle with lung disease.

Born in Farmington in 1949 while her late parents, Homer and Marquita Gladwin, were working at the family’s educational summer camp in Rangeley, she grew up in Hartford and then Bristol, Conn. Her mother was an English teacher who tutored children with dyslexia at Camp Waya-Awi in Rangeley during the summer. Her father was an electrician who had formerly overcome his own dyslexia.

Laura and her siblings, Katherine (resides in Belgrade with her husband David) and Warren (resides in Alabama with his wife Clydene) spent every summer at Waya-Awi with other faculty children water skiing, swimming, boating, hiking, shooting, cooking, crafting, and helping with chores and camp operations. Love for the area continued throughout their lives after the camp closed and the family continued to spend their summers at their small cabin across the lake from the camp. When not in Maine, Laura and her siblings spent their early childhood in Hartford, Conn., where their grandparents hosted and tutored students with dyslexia under the Orton-Gillingham method, before settling in Bristol, Conn.

After graduating from Eastern High School in Bristol, Conn., Laura pursued a career in nursing and after attaining her R.N. certification from Saugus General in Massachusetts, she went on to work for Mass General in the ICUs and eventually the Angiography suite. She continued working in the Boston area where she held the role of Charge Nurse for the ICUs at Deaconess Hospital. She started specializing in cardiac care after moving to Oakland with her husband of 13 years, Dr. William “Bill” Hazard. She continued this specialty after moving to Santa Barbara, Calif. and worked in the Electrophysiology lab at both Saint Francis and Cottage Hospitals.

While living in California with Bill, Laura had both of her children, Mandee (resides in Sabattus with her husband, Jason and two children) and Rowland (resides in Fayette). Laura was actively involved in her community and loved to host dinner parties, design and sew ballet costumes for Mandee, coordinate and host Girl Scout troop activities, attend Rowland’s sporting events, and sing in the church choir. She also developed a love of fine wine and gourmet cooking, which was on display at all her dinner parties.

Following her divorce, Laura moved to Virginia with Mandee and transitioned to the private sector where she spent the remainder of her career selling, maintaining, and training healthcare staff on cardiac implant devices such as pacemakers. She was always mentoring and teaching those around her, explaining medical terms and drawing detailed illustrations of the heart or other anatomy.

After moving to Maine to be closer to family, Laura enjoyed spending her retired summers at the family cabin in Rangeley, playing cribbage, spending time with her yellow lab, Rosie, and Siamese cat, Moxie, visiting with grandchildren, and listening to music.

Laura developed her love for music early in life, ranging from rock and roll in the ’60s to classical music and specifically choral masterpieces. She sang throughout her life and influenced both her children to pursue vocal music activities, though her son Rowland was blessed with exceptional talent was able to continue his vocal career through college and into adulthood. Laura shared her own talent and love of choral music with Rowland while singing together in a choir in Rangeley. Rowland’s voice endured as a source of joy for Laura (and many many others) throughout her life, including her last moments.

Laura is survived by her daughter, Mandee and husband Jason, son, Rowland; siblings Katherine and husband David, Warren and wife Clydene; along with her grandsons; nieces and nephews.

Laura’s visiting hours will be held in Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Then, in the true spirit of Laura’s passions, a celebration of life will be held in Rangeley in July and will include plenty of gourmet foods, spirits, and colorful flowers. More details on this gathering will be announced via social media at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com


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