Lloy Azalee Haw

Lloy (Dorrance) Haw passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018, at White Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care. Lloy was born on October 28, 1932, in Scotts, Michigan, to Ivah (Haas) and Orlin Dorrance. She was a proud graduate of Vicksburg Community Schools Class of 1950. Lloy was first employed at Vicksburg Schools where she met and fell in love with her husband of nearly 62 years, Richard (Dick) Haw. Dick and Lloy were married in 1953 and began their married life in the Detroit area. In 1956, they moved to Kalamazoo. Lloy was then employed by Hercules Powder Company, later Hercules, Inc. in Parchment. She took a hiatus for 9 years to stay home and raise their two children to school age. In 1967, she returned to work at Hercules until 1994. Lloy was a devoted wife and mother. She served as a Cub Scout Den mother, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, PTA President/member at Spring Valley Elementary, Burke Elementary School and Northeastern Jr. High. Lloy was active in the Mother's Study group at Spring Valley and Burke Elementary Schools, and always served as her children's Room Mother. She cherished her time with her family and friends in her homes on Briarwood and Mandalay. Lloy's love of nature began as a child, and continued as an adult. She joined Kalamazoo Garden Council and Westwood Garden Club in 1956. Once she and Dick moved to the Burke area of Kalamazoo, she joined Burkeview Garden Club. Lloy was a life member of Burkeview Garden Club and National Garden Clubs, Inc. Lloy was a member of Kalamazoo Ladies Library Association, and Past President and member of Professional Secretaries International, receiving the award of Secretary of the Year in 1985. She was a member of Parchment United Methodist Church and Women's Circle until 1984 at which time she and Dick transferred their membership to Westwood United Methodist Church. Lloy enjoyed entertaining in her home and was extremely creative and artistic. She made and decorated elaborate cakes and cookies. Lloy was an accomplished seamstress, loved to make porcelain dolls, enjoyed collecting miniatures, and delighted in gardening in her yards, in later years calling this her therapy. She was also an avid reader and poet. Lloy leaves us with a beautiful collection of her poetry to cherish. She was a determined and achievement oriented person. Following a heart attack in December 1997, she completed her rehabilitation in April 1998 by walking in the Borgess Run/Walk with her daughter followed by walking the Mackinaw Bridge in September with her son. Lloy was preceded in death by her parents, Ivah and Orlin Dorrance, her husband, Richard Haw, her siblings and their spouses, Edward (Faith Dorrance) Zobel, Keith Dorrance, Leslie (Lavon) Dorrance, Richard Lowe and Kenneth Dorrance; 3 nieces and 4 nephews. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Lowe; children Richard (Patricia) Haw of Zeeland, Lloy Anne (Doug) Olsen of South Haven; grandchildren Laura Haw (Chris Welch), Brian Haw, and Patrick Haw; Step Grandchildren Chris (Amanda) Olsen, Cory (Cherie) )Olsen; five Step Great Grandchildren, and 28 nieces and nephews. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are scheduled. Interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery alongside her husband. Private immediate family service will take place at a later date. Lloy and her family would like to thank the staff at White Oaks Assisted Living, VPA, and Grace Hospice for the loving, compassionate care she has received for the past five months. Lloy's final request for you is to tell your family and friends how much you love them, do a random act of kindness for someone, become involved in making our world a better place and plant a beautiful flower to signify her love of nature.