Obituary of Nelly Groh Gasaway

COLUMBIA: A funeral service celebrating the life of Mrs. Nelly Gasaway will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013 in Greenlawn Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ken Kepler officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. on Saturday until the hour of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd, Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169 or the charity of one's choice in Nelly's memory. On-line condolences may be sent to www.Greenlawn-Columbia.com. Nelly was born on February 9, 1932 in Zurich, Switzerland to Karl and Ida Groh-Otth. Nelly passed away with dignity and serenity surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Nelly traveled to the United States to work as a governess for a Swiss Diplomat and his family in 1955. Soon thereafter, Nelly married Mr. Eugene H. Gasaway in Atlanta, Georgia and became a military wife. During their marriage, a daughter, Carol, a son, Jim, and a daughter, Susan was born, also traveling with and seeing the world with their parents. Nelly worked and retired from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, being the last employee to leave the notorious CCI upon its closing in January of 1994. Nelly continued her tenure for 3 more years to finally retire in 1997. Nelly loved all aspects of her job and treated all persons with dignity and respect. Upon her retirement, Nelly enjoyed her home and spending time with the family. Throughout her life, Nelly was also a Mother to a host of creatures, both great and small. Nelly rejoins them having crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Those left to cherish Nelly's precious memories are her children, Carol Dean, Jim Gasaway, and Susan Carey Graham (Rippy); four grandchildren, Jimmy Dean, Jamie Gasaway, Brandon Carey, and Megan Carey; eight great-grandchildren, and a host of other loving relatives and friends that will miss her dearly.