Laurel Sybilrud

SYBILRUD, Laurel

Laurel Hexamer Sybilrud, age 76 of Dunwoody, Georgia, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025 surrounded by her family.

Born on September 28,1948 in Canton, Ohio to Jeanne and Lauren Hexamer, Laurel attended Glenwood High School where she met her future husband, Mike, when she accepted his invitation to their Senior prom.

Laurel went on to graduate from Miami University in May of 1970 and married Mike four months later on September 5, 1970.

During their 55 years of marriage they had several brief relocations early on, but settled in Atlanta in 1978. Laurel was an active member of their Dunwoody neighborhood and the greater Atlanta community serving as PTO president, Tip-Off Club president and Holiday Traditions co-chair just to name a few. She also devoted her time and talents to many local breast cancer resources and support centers throughout Georgia.

One of her true passions was working at Dunwoody United Methodist Preschool, where she taught for almost 30 years. Her dedication to her students and the importance of early childhood development was truly one of her hallmarks.

Laurel lived a full and active life, discovering a passion for kayaking and camping in her later years. She loved her "paddle buddies," and her family loved them too—because that meant we did not have to kayak and camp with her!

She was an avid reader, enjoyed hiking, walking, gardening, yoga and entertaining.

Never one to hold her tongue or at a loss for words, she could hold a grudge and proudly left a scorched earth of bank tellers, bag boys and car salesmen in her path.

Laurel is survived by her husband, Michael Hugh Sybilrud; daughters, Kelly Falls (Brandon) and Libby Kellen (Jason); grandchildren, Laden, Jake, Cooper and Kate Falls and James and Michael Kellen; and sister, Jan Tepe (Larry).

We will miss your crazy Grammie hair, your long standing role as the Mayor of Crazy-town, your renowned pumpkin bread and of course your annual Christmas Eve parties.

With a love of the outdoors and a passion for breast cancer research and local cancer support groups, we ask that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in Laurel's memory to the Georgia River Network or the Emory Winship Cancer Institute.

A celebration of life will take place later this fall.