OBIT: Laurie A. (Saylor) BALTZER, 2005, formerly of Somerset County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library Transcribed and proofread by Barry and Betty Christy. jhurl@meyersdalelibrary.org Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ----------------------------------------------- Baltzer, Laurie A. (Saylor) 03/31/05 Daily American Laurie A. (Saylor) Baltzer, 53, Strasburg, formerly of Somerset, died March 29, 2005, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, as the result of a 17-year battle with lung disease. Born Dec. 5, 1951, in Pittsburgh, daughter of Mary Lou Meyers, Somerset, and the late James L. Saylor. Also survived by her husband of 32 years David R. Baltzer, sons: David Edward and fiancˇ Jaime Hoyt, Houston, Texas, and Steven James, Strasburg. Sister of Kristie L. Parish, Berlin, Erica L., married to Stephen Diethorn, Bethel Park, James L. Saylor Jr., Cranberry, and Gerald M. Saylor and wife Karen, South Park. Also survived by 20 nieces and nephews and stepmother Joyce McCurdy Saylor, Finleyville. A 1969 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, and 1972 graduate of West Penn School of Nursing. She had been a registered nurse at Bashline of Grove City, Somerset, and St. Joseph's of Lancaster Hospitals. Member of Willow Street United Church of Christ. Founder and director of Gift of Life Transplant Support Group of Lancaster. She volunteered with Central Pa. Coalition on Organ Donation, and Gift of Life Donor Program, where she received the Soapbox Award for Outstanding Dedication in Educating the Public about Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation. She also volunteered with St. Joseph's Hospital, Hospice of Lancaster County, Hans Herr Elementary School, Lampeter-Strasburg H.S. Band, and various other charitable organizations, for which she received the Jefferson Award for Volunteerism in 1995. Laurie was a strong advocate of organ and tissue donation. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Deaner Funeral Home, 705 Main St., Berlin. Viewing from 1 p.m. until service at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Somerset. Pastors Ron Bohannon and Jay Shaffer officiating. Interment Walker Cemetery, Shanksville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to "Transplant Foundation" c/o Gift of Life Organ Donor Program, 401 N. Third St., Philadelphia, PA 19123, or Pulmonary Hypertension Research Fund, Attn: Dr. Srinivas Murali, Cardio Vascular Institute, S 556 Scaife Hall, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.