Laura H. Mickel

Laura H. Mickel died early Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at The Waterford at Levis Commons, where she lived one month. Twenty-seven days earlier, on Thanksgiving, Laura celebrated her 100th birthday with her children and grandchildren. Noting the occasion, an article in The Toledo Blade began: On this past Thanksgiving, 100 candles illuminated the sky and announced to the world that a remarkable woman was born 100 years ago. Anyone who lives to be 100 is remarkable, and Laura was no different. Slight in stature, she had an extraordinary spirit and inner strength that enabled her to deal with and overcome hardships that would have sunk a lesser person. In particular, she had an ability to ignore small problems, considering them insignificant in the larger picture. She knew what was important and what was trivial. This is one reason Laura was blessed with excellent health most of her life. Laura was an exceptional cook specializing in the foods of her Lebanese heritage. Up until a few years ago, she remained active in the kitchen, turning out meat pies, grape leaves, stuffed squash and the many pastries her family enjoyed. Her church, St. Elias Antiochian Christian Orthodox Church, was a significant part of her life. Five days before her birthday, she made her last visit to the church she gave so much to, spiritually and physically. Laura lived on Ontario Street in North Toledo, in the house she raised her family, for 71 years, from 1929-2000. She never locked her doors, even in the later years, when the neighborhood had grown less safe. Her family was alarmed, but Laura, displaying her feisty, independent spirit, told them: If youre too worried to visit, dont bother. Laura was born Nov. 25, 1910 in Granville, Ill., to Thomas and Rose Zraik, who were immigrants from Lebanon. Her family moved to Toledo when she was a teenager. She attended Wait High School. In 1929, she married James Mickel. After raising three children, Fadwa, Kenneth and Ron, Laura went to work at the former Superior Overall Laundry Co., where she was employed 25 years as a bookkeeper. Additionally, Laura was a lifelong member of the St. Elias Ladies Society. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, who died in 1968; brothers, Alex, Raymond, Edward, Sam and Julius; sisters, Edna Abdo and Ethel Zarick; and half brother, James A. Mickel, Jr. Surviving are her sons, Kenneth and Ron Mickel; her daughter, Fadwa Abood; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 West Sylvania Ave., west of Corey Rd where Trisagion Prayers will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Elias Antiochian Christian Orthodox Church, 4940 Harroun Road, where visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Contributions can be made to St. Elias. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com