Laura Ruth Miksch Diaz, 93, of Carroll Township, Monongahela, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, at Brookdale Latrobe. She was born on Dec. 24, 1928, in North Charleroi, the only child of Dr. Carl E. Miksch and Margaret Hayes Miksch. As a daughter writing this obituary, I only experienced the life she led while raising her family. It was only when it was time to sell her house of 62 years in Mar-Rick Manor did I uncover pictures, scrap books and articles relating to her life as a young lady before marrying attorney Albert S. “Buzz” Diaz in 1956, who preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1998. At a young age, Laura wanted to become a nurse and follow in her father’s footsteps in the medical field, however, she was redirected in pursuing the fine arts. She majored in music at Chatham University and studied organ with Johnny Miller of Pittsburgh. In her early 20s, she had her own daily radio show on WESA, playing popular organ music of the time (the late ’40 and ’50s). She also played the organ for corporate events, including many for Corning Glass, where she was paid professionally and in pieces of Steuben glassware. After a few years playing modern music, she was asked to become the organist at Christ Lutheran Church in Charleroi, where she remained as the organist for 60 years, retiring in 2014 at the age of 85. The music that emanated from the pipe organ of the church will never be forgotten. Laura also had a flair for art and won several awards for her oil paintings of everyday life and landscapes. To round out her fine arts capabilities, she was a creative writer and an avid reader. She thoroughly enjoyed writing to hundreds of pen pals around the world. And I must say, the “creative” letters she wrote to me in college were a hit with my classmates (looking back, they should have been put in a collection of fictional short stories)! Laura was known to be a devoted Pittsburgh Pirates fan. For many years, friends and family knew not to interrupt her while she was scoring the games in her hardback, Spalding score books. Other months of the summer were devoted to travel for Laura and Buzz, whether it was aboard cruise ships or in their motorhome. Late summer months, their house became the gathering place for “corn roasts,” where freshly picked corn, still in the husk, was buried under a pile of wood and coal and roasted for 20-30 minutes. Laughter, storytelling, and organ music would then fill the night air. In closing, memories of her life are numerous, but imagining what her life was like growing up in the “good ole” days is fascinating. Laura is survived by her daughters, Tami (Bill) Stewart of Greensburg and Laurie (Chris) Castillo of Mooresville, N.C.; and three grandsons, Jonathon (Maura) Pennline of Mars, Pa., Brett Stewart of Monroeville and Brandon (Kendall) of Texas. The family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the staff at Brookdale Latrobe — Clare Bridge and to Lori and Bridget of Bridges Hospice. The care they provided was very much appreciated. And a personal thank you to Pastor David Clement for his spiritual support. Friends will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at HOGAN-MELENYZER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES INC, 226 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, inside the funeral home with Pastor Matthew Stabe officiating. Interment will be held privately in Monongahela Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 601 Washington Ave., Charleroi, PA 15022. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hogan-melenyzer.com.
