Hazel Leebrick Pless

Hazel Leebrick Pless Hazel died peacefully at Vinson Hall Retirement Community, The Sylvestry - Memory Support Assisted Living on 7 January 2019 at age 93. Hazel is a native Virginian. She was born on 29 November, 1925 in Brookneal, VA. She left home right after high school, during WWII, to attend nursing school in Lynchburg, VA. It was during this time that she met her first husband Tinsley Leebrick Jr. and father of her two children. She resided in Norfolk, VA after the war, where her children were born, until 1953 at which time she and her new family moved to Bridgeport, CT. While there she became administrator of a nursing facility for the elderly. Returning to Virginia Beach in 1964 and then to Arlington in1968 she worked as a private duty nurse primarily caring for the elderly. It was a calling for her, she loved it dearly. After her first husband passed away unexpectedly in 1976 she started traveling the world extensively until she met Don Pless. They married in June of 1990 and the traveling continued. Hazel always had a desire to own and operate a bed-and-breakfast. This was truly a passion and labor of love for her, a life long dream. After purchasing the “The Catoctin House Inn” located in Hillsboro, VA she and Don operated it as a bed and breakfast. She had a work ethic that was unmatched and a passion for anything she attempted. When the time came that the bed-and-breakfast was more than they could handle Hazel and Don moved back to Arlington where they resided until her death. In 1986 she was voted Nurse of the Year. Hazel was a collector and loved antiques, this was her second love, nursing being the first. She worked as a volunteer at the Junior League Thrift for twenty three years. She continued to travel 40 miles to volunteer at least one day a week at the Junior League Thrift until it closed in 2002. Hazel and Don attended the First Baptist Church in Washington, DC where Hazel was very active. She served for many years as the chairperson of the Social Committee. In June 1993 at the 191st Church Aniversary Banquet Hazel received recognition and appreation for high standards of hospitality exibited during the church year 1993. In 1997 Hazel received the “Truman Award”, an award granted annually to a lay person who has rendered unusual Christian service during the preceding year. Hazel was mild mannered, frequently smiling, and loved all people. She never had anything negative to say about anyone. The words most spoken by Hazel were “I love you” and “Thank you”. Hazel is survived by her husband Donald Pless of Arlington, VA; her son Tinsley Leebrick III and daughter-in-law Sandy of Kennesaw, GA; daughter Pamela Appleton and son-in-law Thomas of Benton, IL; and sister Reva Guthrie Kirkland of Virginia Beach, VA. Hazel had two grandchildren, Megan Hinkle, married to Brian Hinkle, of Holly Springs, GA and Brett Leebrick of Kennesaw, GA, by her son and daughter-in-law. Hazel had three great-grandchildren, Ansleigh, Anderson and Harrision by her granddaughter Megan. Hazel had a grandson Joshua Appleton, married to Shannon Appleton of Benton, IL, by her daughter Pamela and son-in-law Thomas, and two great-grandsons Henry and Alexander. Hazel had five nieces, Marian Howard, Kathi Culbreth, Jane Kowalczyk, Elizabeth Cassidy, and Deb Kirkland. Don Pless has two sons Don and Jeff both of Arlington, VA. Hazel is preceded in death by her parents Ocie and Sally Guthrie of Brookneal, VA, and her first husband, and father of her children, Tinsley Leebrick Jr of Arlington, VA. Memories or condolences can be sent to dignitymemorial.com. The family would like to thank the staff at Vinson Hall Retirement Community, The Sylvestry - Memory Support Assisted Living at 1728 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101 for the loving care that Hazel received while residing there. A viewing and visitation is scheduled for 2 February, 2019 from 2 PM until 4 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 (703-920-4800). All are welcome to attend and celebrate Hazel's life. Donations can be sent to Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org. Funeral services and burial to be announced at a later date.