Obituary of Laurel J. Holben

Laurel Joyce Holben (née Havens), 85, of Syracuse, NY, and previously of Cortland, NY, died at home on June 2, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer's, surrounded by family and her wonderful caregivers. Born on the 4th of July, Laurel was raised in Edmeston, NY, graduating from Edmeston HS, and CCBI in Syracuse. It was while attending church at University United Methodist Church that she met her future husband, Arthur Holben. They married in 1955 and had 3 daughters. The family moved to Cortland in 1962 where for many years, Laurel cherished the couples' monthly bridge club and the lifelong friendships developed there. In the late 70's, Laurel and Art moved back to Syracuse. She worked as an office administrator at Syracuse University for many years and retired from there in 1987. Laurel looked forward to annual Slentz family reunions - her mother's family- and enjoyed singing in the choir at Dewitt Community Church where she was a member. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Art, and daughters and sons-in-laws Sally and Pete VanZandt, Kim and Reid Bowman, and Sigrid and John Wehrle, as well as her beloved grandsons Mitch and Kyle VanZandt, Chris and Will Bowman, and Jackson Wehrle. Also surviving are her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Barbara Havens, as well as nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be planned for later this summer. The family asks that donations be made to the Manlius Senior Center with the line item of "the UGGH fund". The fund was established by the owners of UGGH, the company that provided wonderful and compassionate aide service for Laurel's care in her final days, to help pay for aide services for less fortunate clients in the area.