Louise Rugg Groner

Louise Rugg Groner, 97, died at Azalea Trace in Pensacola, FL on Monday, March 13, 2017 with her children, Jodee Hart and Chip Groner at her side. Louise was born in Essex Junction, VT on January 27, 1920 and was the only child of Archie Burgess Rugg and Josephine Fay Rugg. She graduated from Burlington High School and the University of Vermont where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. In 1942 she met Texan, Pat Neff Groner, who was going through Marine Corps pilot training in Vermont. They married in La Jolla, CA, just prior to Pat leaving with his squadron for the war in the Pacific. After World War II they settled in Vermont where Pat entered the hospital business. In 1950 Pat and Louise moved to Pensacola after Pat accepted a job as the first Administrator of Baptist Hospital. They loved their new community and lived in Pensacola the remainder of their lives. Louise was a lifelong and enthusiastic supporter of Pat's hospital career. Pat preceded her in death in 2012.

Louise was an active volunteer in the community. She was a member of the first provisional class of the Junior League of Pensacola and a long time board member of The Pensacola Heritage Foundation. For many years Louise was a volunteer in the gift shop at Baptist Hospital. She was interested in the welfare of children and served on several boards including the Children's Home Society, 90 and 9 Boys Ranch and the Speech and Hearing Center. The Groner family was among the founding families of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. Louise was an active member of her church, serving on the Altar Guild and as President of the Episcopal Church Women.

She is survived by her two children, Jodee Groner Hart and husband Chris and Chip Groner and wife Pam. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Will Hart (Traci), Pat Hart (Betsy), Jenna Groner Koebel (Chris) and Shelby Groner Cotner (Joe). She was the proud great grandmother of Virginia, Wyatt and Sally Hart, Mary Scott, Libby and Chris Hart, Allison Koebel and Bailey and Clark Cotner.

A Memorial service will be held at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:00am.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503 or Covenant Care, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504.