Hazel Maurine Roggy

Hazel Maurine Roggy, died peacefully on November 11, 2016 in her home. Living independently until only a few weeks before her death, she was supported by the caregivers of Pathways Hospice and the loving care of her family. Hazel was born September 10, 1923 in Le Roy, IL to John and Amelia (Fain) Rice. Her early years were spent on a farm where she was known to adopt and nurture sick animals. She talked of having a pet lamb and a pig—all of which seemed to thrive and remember her into their adulthood. Hazel’s brother, Robert Wesley Rice, was 13 years her senior, and rode a horse to school. She always wanted to have a horse, but the closest she came was coaxing a blind old mare to the fence, where she could climb on her back. Hazel’s father died when she was a young teen, and she and her mother were left with very little. They moved into town where Hazel attended Le Roy High School and her mother took in laundry, did babysitting and dishwashing at a restaurant to bring in money. Then she met Paul Roggy, who, by all accounts, was the love of her life. They eloped to Mexico, MO. where they were married on September 24, 1941. Paul farmed his mother’s acreage outside Le Roy and Hazel raised chickens, vegetable and helped with the milking of a dairy herd. When the family farm was sold, Paul and Hazel moved into Le Roy with their two children Sharon Ann and Paul Michael. Hazel was employed for many years at Le Roy State Bank (now Busey Bank) where she worked her way up to become Head Teller. To the end she was meticulous in balancing her checkbook and would spend whatever time it took (sometimes hours) to reconcile down to the penny. When Paul retired from Purina they began planning for a move to Colorado, where both Mike and Sharon had settled. In 1981, they uprooted themselves and moved from the only home they had ever known to start a new chapter in Fort Collins, CO. The next five years were some of the best of Hazel’s life. With her children and now grandchildren nearby, and the ability to travel and enjoy holidays with family—life was good. Sadly Paul died suddenly in November, 1986 and Hazel began a new phase of life as a widow. She showed tremendous courage to forge a new identity for herself—becoming active in her church, Harmony Presbyterian, continuing to spend time with friends and being a caring matriarch to a growing family. Hazel enjoyed yoga and exercised regularly until she was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm at the age of 83. She opted for surgery and fought her way through the recovery to enjoy another 10 years, which she often referred to as “bonus years”. Hazel is survived by son, Paul Michael Roggy and daughter-in-law, Joyce, of Fort Collins, CO, and daughter, Sharon Roggy of Colorado Springs, CO. Grandchildren include Benjamin Paul Stickney of New York, NY, Amy (Jeremy) Pett of Loveland, CO, Erin (Seth) Austin of Loveland, CO, Stephanie Stickney of Austin, TX and step-grandson James (Mandy) Wilson of Timnath, CO. Great-grandchildren include Madeline (Maddy) Austin, Katherine (Katie) Austin, Colter Pett, Amelia Pett, Mercedes, Londyn and Xavier Wilson and Sawyer Austin. Also surviving are her nephews Robert (Shirley) Rice of LeRoy, IL and William Rice of Bloomington, IL. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO, followed by a Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow the service at this same location. Hazel will be buried next to Paul at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated to Hazel’s favorite charity, Boys’ Town at 200 Flanagan Blvd., P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010 or online at https://secure.boystown.org/Donate. The family wishes to thank the wonderful people at Pathways Hospice—especially Gelly, Cindy, Jennifer, and Heather. Memorial Donations can be made to Pathways at 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO. 80525 (https://pathways-care.org/giving/memorial-donations-gifts).