Anna Lazo

Anna Lazo, 98, of Flat Rock, NC, passed away peacefully and journeyed to eternal life on Saturday, October 28, at the Four Seasons Elizabeth House Hospice in Flat Rock. She is greatly missed by her children and family, who lovingly described her as a “light” to others.

Anna was born in Kearny, New Jersey, and was a first-generation American of Russian immigrants. She lived much of her life in New Jersey, before retiring to Flat Rock, North Carolina, in 1989 with her late husband, John Lazo.

Anna and John enjoyed many wonderful years in their home in Flat Rock. They spent much of their time golfing, singing in the Kenmure Show Chorus, and traveling across the country in their customized van. One of her many favorite destinations was Sedona, Arizona.

She lived an interesting life and had many fascinating stories to tell. The early years of growing up through the Great Depression yielded poignant memories of struggles and triumphs. Much of her time in those days was spent helping to support her family and taking care of her younger sister. She also loved reading as many books as she could. One of the special treats that blessed many in her older years was being taught how to sing by a Juilliard music professor.

When World War II came around, Anna contributed to the wartime efforts in a “Rosie the Riveter” role building breach block cannons and bullet casings. Her tenacity was demonstrated one day when a supervisor told her to slow down. Her response was one that clearly showed her love for her Country, “I don’t know if you know this, but a war is going on.” In full Anna fashion, she sped up her work.

In 1954, Anna married her late husband, John. They moved to the Pocono Mountains, where they lived in a family cabin. Each weekend was filled with entertaining family members. One particular weekend, they were awakened by their Collie dog barking on the front steps. A dam broke, and the area was flooding. She, John, and her nephew Allen helped rescue a family with a baby stranded on a roof. All of them made it safely to higher ground.

Anna and John built their first home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and began to raise their family. When their children Anne, John Jr., and Michael were still young, they moved to Bridgewater, New Jersey, where they remained until they retired in 1989.

Anna was a devoted homemaker to her family for many years in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and returned to the workforce as an executive assistant with the United States Golf Association (USGA), helping to support her children’s college educations.

Anna was a gentle and kind person, giving her time and energy to various charitable organizations throughout her life, including the PTA, reading for the blind, and helping with special needs children.

She was an avid gardener, loved to cook, and a natural-born artist and musician. One of her great joys while in Flat Rock was singing in the Kenmure Show Chorus. The group would often perform their musical acts at local nursing homes. On several occasions, she also had the privilege of singing at Kenmure dinner functions while “Buffalo Bob” Smith played the piano and her husband John played the saxophone.

Anna also loved the beauty of Western North Carolina and recently spent more time on the Blue Ridge Parkway with her daughter, Anne.

On her 95th birthday, Anna hiked ½-mile at Roan Mountain Gardens. She was an energetic person with strength of character, kindness, and a strong will that always brought happiness to those she loved.

Anna Lazo is survived by her three children, Anne, Flat Rock; John Jr. and his wife, Sandy, Basking Ridge, New Jersey; and Michael, Tampa, Florida; three grandchildren, Justin, Thomas, and Kevin; as well as her sister Mildred, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and many loving nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the Four Seasons Compassionate Care for Life and the Elizabeth House Hospice for their care and support for Anna and her family during this difficult time.

Visitation will be on Monday, November 6, from 5:00 until 6:00 PM at Church Street Funeral Home in Hendersonville. A private family service will be held at the Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina, where she will be reunited with her late husband, John.

The Lazo family will hold a Celebration of Life Memorial Service for friends and relatives later.

Donations may be made in Anna’s memory directly to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. (www.therapydogs.com). When Anna’s daughter made a request for a therapy dog to come to the home, this organization’s members lovingly responded.

The Lazo family encourages family and friends to leave memories, tributes, and stories of Anna.