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Claudia Denelsbeck-Laskow

Claudia Denelsbeck-Laskow, 70, of Avon, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024, at her home. Born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Claudia was the daughter of the late Robert Cassidy Denelsbeck and Marjorie Ballard; she was preceded in death by her sister, Wendy. She was a graduate of Central Bucks East High School, Class of 1972, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Keuka College, Class of 1976, and a Master of Public Administration, Management degree from Penn State University in 1988. Claudia is survived by her husband, Jan Peter Laskow, and a large family, including many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly, and an extended family here on Hatteras Island. Claudia was a kind and thoughtful woman, and she will be missed and remembered by the many lives she touched.
Claudia and her husband, Jan, were born on the same day – May 10, 1954, and in 1980, on the same date, they married after a life-long friendship and ten years of dating. To many, “Claudia and Jan” is a known unit – always together, supporting one another unconditionally through their many chapters together, prioritizing one another, and growing in both their love and friendship for seven decades. After forty-four years of marriage, they navigated life together with humor, passion and an abounding love. To know Claudia was to know her love for Jan.
In 1989, Claudia and Jan moved to Avon, North Carolina from their home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and created a life filled with an extended family and countless friends. Upon her arrival to Hatteras, she started work at the Froggy Dog. Soon after, she received her real estate license and worked for over three decades as an agent for Outer Beaches Realty, helping countless others find their homes in the place she loved and chose to make her home, too. In addition to her work in Real Estate, she assisted her husband in starting his business, Outer Banks Fire Protection, which serviced the Outer Banks community for over thirty years.
Claudia was known for her sense of humor, quick wit and endless energy, the first with a biting comment or sarcastic quip to make those around her laugh. She was compassionate and unconditionally supportive of the people she loved, being the first to lend a hand. She volunteered for countless initiatives on Hatteras Island, including Friends of Felines, a nonprofit to support the feral cat population on the island. She could often be seen throughout Avon, feeding her four-legged friends, and ensuring they were safe, or fundraising to ensure resources were available to support the efforts of the community. In addition to Friends of Felines, Claudia volunteered with Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation, The Hotline Thrift Shop in Waves, and St. John’s Methodist Church in Avon for meal delivery, to name a few.
More than anything, Claudia’s legacy will live on in the people who loved her and the countless organizations she supported in her time here. She has touched many lives on Hatteras Island and beyond, and our broken hearts are filled with love and her memory.
A celebration of Claudia’s life will be announced at a later date. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at gallopfuneralservices.com, In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation at https://hicf.org or Friends of Felines at https://fofhi.org.
Condolences
To know Claudia was to love Claudia.
Claudia and I met in 1987 while working in PA. She was an instant friend. Ironically, she and husband Jan moved to Avon, NC where my parents had a property. And my mother was having a ‘cottage’ built. I never missed a chance seeing her while in OBX or on Ocracoke, where she helped us purchase a beloved cottage. I even attempted to teach her to wind surf. My friend never missed a beat when I’d return to the island, as if I’d never left. Claudia got to see my twins grow-up (into teenagers), as they were introduced to island life. She and her beloved Jan were an amazing duo. Right now my heart is broken…but, Claudia I’ll get my sh*t together when the pain lessons, I know that having had you in my life was an amazing gift & you my friend will forever be in my heart (as will Jan).
Our deepest sympathy to you Jan. Claudia was a remarkable woman and had such an influence on Kimberly and Scott. May all of the friends you and Claudia have shared bring you support and comfort at this time and the future.
Dear Jan, I’m so sorry to hear of Claudia’s passing. Many fond memories of both of you and our Keuka days. Praying for peace and comfort at this difficult time.
So sorry to hear this heartbreakibg news. Claudia was a classmate of mine at Keuka Class '76. We also were in Sociology classes together as it was both of our degrees. I remember Jan when he would come to visit. Such a terrible loss of a fun loving friend. It is never easy to lose our loved ones.
Jan, our sympathy to you in the loss of Claudia. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gary and Rhonda Clodfelter
Jan, So sorry for your loss.
Jan you have my deepest condolences! Thanks for sharing Claudia with us and her joy for life! If there is anything you need, just let me know!!
We owe our existence in Avon to Claudia. She was the agent who sold us our house. Although we don’t live down there, we come as often as we can and truly are grateful for seeing her at last years Trunk or Treat. Will truly miss her
I love Claudia! I met her over 30 years ago and we were instant friends. We were coworkers and she made the job so much fun! Her pranks rose our ideas to the next level to try to out wit her. You could hear her laugh from anywhere in the office which was like turning on a happy button, because you couldn’t not laugh when you heard her! I then had the pleasure to work for her and Jan for the fastest 12 years of my life. Hands down the most favorite job I’ve ever had, and I’ve never had another boss that compares to Claudia and Jan. I moved away from the island and didn’t get to see them much as life happens. Now my memories will keep me comforted and I am sending the same peaceful comforting love to Jan and her family. But I’ll still miss you madly Brat!
To Jan and family - sending our deepest condolences for the loss of the most wonderful and kind Miss Claudia - her humor and love of life are endless.
Jan we are deeply saddened to hear that Claudia passed away. She was an awesome person and will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To know Claudia was to love Claudia.
Claudia and I met in 1987 while working in PA. She was an instant friend.
Ironically, she and husband Jan moved to Avon, NC where my parents had a property. And my mother was having a ‘cottage’ built. I never missed a chance seeing her while in OBX or on Ocracoke, where she helped us purchase a beloved cottage. I even attempted to teach her to wind surf. My friend never missed a beat when I’d return to the island, as if I’d never left. Claudia got to see my twins grow-up (into teenagers), as they were introduced to island life.
She and her beloved Jan were an amazing duo.
Right now my heart is broken…but, Claudia I’ll get my sh*t together when the pain lessons, I know that having had you in my life was an amazing gift & you my friend will forever be in my heart (as will Jan).
Our deepest sympathy to you Jan.
Claudia was a remarkable woman and had such an influence on Kimberly and Scott.
May all of the friends you and Claudia have shared bring you support and comfort at this time and the future.
Dear Jan, I’m so sorry to hear of Claudia’s passing. Many fond memories of both of you and our Keuka days. Praying for peace and comfort at this difficult time.
So sorry to hear this heartbreakibg news. Claudia was a classmate of mine at Keuka Class ’76. We also were in Sociology classes together as it was both of our degrees. I remember Jan when he would come to visit. Such a terrible loss of a fun loving friend. It is never easy to lose our loved ones.
Jan, our sympathy to you in the loss of Claudia. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gary and Rhonda Clodfelter
Jan, So sorry for your loss.
Jan you have my deepest condolences! Thanks for sharing Claudia with us and her joy for life! If there is anything you need, just let me know!!
We owe our existence in Avon to Claudia. She was the agent who sold us our house. Although we don’t live down there, we come as often as we can and truly are grateful for seeing her at last years Trunk or Treat. Will truly miss her
I love Claudia! I met her over 30 years ago and we were instant friends. We were coworkers and she made the job so much fun! Her pranks rose our ideas to the next level to try to out wit her. You could hear her laugh from anywhere in the office which was like turning on a happy button, because you couldn’t not laugh when you heard her! I then had the pleasure to work for her and Jan for the fastest 12 years of my life. Hands down the most favorite job I’ve ever had, and I’ve never had another boss that compares to Claudia and Jan. I moved away from the island and didn’t get to see them much as life happens. Now my memories will keep me comforted and I am sending the same peaceful comforting love to Jan and her family. But I’ll still miss you madly Brat!
To Jan and family – sending our deepest condolences for the loss of the most wonderful and kind Miss Claudia – her humor and love of life are endless.
Jan we are deeply saddened to hear that Claudia passed away. She was an awesome person and will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.