Nora Hage Serur

Nora Hage Serur passed away after a long and full life on March 2. She was born in Wheeling West Virginia on St. Patrick's Day 1914 to John and Labebe Hage who emigrated from Roumieh, Lebanon in 1908. When Nora was only four years old her mother died in the great flue epidemic in 1918. Her father moved to Austin In 1919 to join his brothers, A.K. and M.K. Hage in business. Nora was raised by her maternal grandmother and her uncle John Coury in Wheeling until the age of 10 at which time she joined her father and stepmother Alice Kouri Hage in Austin.

Nora enjoyed an active life in the Lebanese community in Austin where she met Tom Serur from San Marcos. They married in 1934 and made San Marcos their home. She moved back to Austin in 1986 following her husband's death to be near her two daughters. She was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church in San Marcos and was a Charter Member of the Altar Society. After moving to Austin she was a volunteer for six years at St. David's South Austin Medical Center and was an early member of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in West Lake.

An avid reader, she was eclectic in her reading and was one of South Austin Library's most frequent patrons. She was a fantastic cook who never tired of finding new recipes and experimenting with old ones. Her prowess in the garden was legend and Mother Nature generously rewarded her. But for all of her talents she is best remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, and motivator who could put Knute Rockne to shame when it came to inspiring young minds. Lovingly known as "Granny" to all, she forged a personal relationship with each of her children and grandchildren, and each felt a special place in her heart and take with them wonderful memories of her abundant love. Failure was not an option for Granny. For a woman who lost her mother by death at such an early age she was a roll model for what motherhood and nurturing is all about.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Sam, Pete, Richard, and Phillip Hage; her daughter, Sylvia Serur Lindsely; and granddaughter, Charlotte Fischer Ewart.

Nora is survived by her son, retired Brig Gen John Serur, USAF (Judi); daughter, Jeanne Serur Fischer (Fred); eight grandchildren, Pam Lindsley White, Susan Lindsley Schiller, Teresa Lindsley Dobson, Steven, Scott and Christopher Serur, Jason Fischer; eleven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and her dear sister-in-law, Beatrice Hage.

The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Allen Sonstein, her physician these past 26 years along with the wonderful staff at the Provident Care Facility on Hwy 290 W for their kindness and loving care that went well beyond the call of duty. The family cannot thank them enough and they will always have a special place in our hearts.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 South Congress Avenue, with Recitation of the Holy Rosary to begin at 7:00 pm. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Private burial will follow.