Drucilla "Dru" Hager

Dru was born on

May 16, 1930 in a farmhouse on a dry land farm outside of Dumas, Texas to parents, Lloyd “Bus”

Brown and

Tolene Burks Brown. She attended a one room schoolhouse at the beginning of her education, and graduated salutatorian from Dumas High School. She married Frank Hager in 1947 and remained his wife for over sixty years, suffering his loss in 2008. Together they raised three children living in Albuquerque and South Carolina and since 1959 back in New Mexico.

Dru was a housewife and also a successful realtor for over twenty-five years. She was active in Daughters of the Nile and White Nile. Dru pursued a number of artistic and gardening activities. She was a longtime member of the Uptown Garden Club of Albuquerque and helped establish the Albuquerque Gardening Center. Her gardening led her to flower arranging and flower arrangement judging. Her many ribbons in these areas give testament to the level of her achievement. She was honored before her passing as the Flower Judge Emeritus of New Mexico. She also loved to paint in watercolors, and the family proudly displays many of them in their homes. Dru was extremely competitive. She liked to win and hated to lose at the card games she played. She and Frank partnered in many contract bridge clubs before his death, and she continued to play up until a year or so ago. She also loved to play Skipbo with her granddaughters and gave no quarter there either.

She is survived by her son, Noel Hager and his wife, Susan of Albuquerque; her daughter, Renee Claffy also of Albuquerque; her sister, Bobby Widener of Aiken, SC; seven grandchildren survive Dru, they are Gina Sims and husband, Scott of Lubbock, TX, Cara Claffy of Albuquerque, Evan Hager and wife, Sovereign of Albuquerque, Sarah Hager of Albuquerque, Todd Hager and wife, Allison of Littleton, CO, and Bonnie and Lexi Hager both of Salt Lake City, UT; great-grandchildren include Zach Sims and wife, Koryn of Lubbock, TX, Ava Sims of Canyon, TX, Grant Sims of Lubbock, TX, Phoenix McGill of Oklahoma, and Neil and Ray Hager of Albuquerque. Dru was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; and their son, Brent Hager.

Special thanks to Angela Walker for her steady help. Also appreciation is given to The Retreat Gardens of Rio Rancho and the many caregivers that helped Dru at the end of her life. No public services are scheduled. A private family memorial will be held in the future. Please visit our online guestbook for Dru at www.frenchfunerals.com.

FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd. NE 505.843.6333 www.frenchfunerals.com