Rohlman, known for contagious gift of laughter, dies at 104

Monday, Aug. 16, 1999 | 10:19 a.m.

She was known for her permanent smile, her passion for dancing and her willingness to help others.

Luciell Rohlman, who many say had an extraordinary and contagious gift of laughter and love for life, died Saturday at her home. She was 104.

Rohlman gathered friends wherever she went. When she turned 100 she received hundreds of birthday cards and a proclamation by former Mayor Jan Laverty Jones naming Aug. 4, 1995, Luciell Rohlman Day.

As an active community volunteer Rohlman gave her "time, talents and expertise" to benefit others, the proclamation said.

Rohlman volunteered nearly 20 years as a cashier at the Desert Springs Hospital gift shop.

When the United Way was considering cutbacks to its Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Rohlman was at the forefront urging the group not to. She wrote letters and encouraged others to do so also.

Having the ability to help others and surround herself with people was important to Rohlman.

Born Aug. 4, 1895, in Detroit, Mich., she was the youngest of seven children. She married her husband, Harold, in 1919 and raised four children during the Depression.

Despite the fact that the family had lost their house, Rohland did what she would continue to do for the rest of her long life: She adapted to change. Her son Robert Rohlman says this is what led to her long life and positive attitude.

"Growing up was really a pleasant thing because there was a lot of happiness. There was never a lot of money, but there was always a lot of fun and laughter," he said.

"All through the years our front door was always open."

In 1976 Rohlman and her husband of 57 years came to the Las Vegas Valley for a prolonged visit. Four months later her husband fell ill and died at Desert Springs Hospital. Shortly after, at the age of 80, Rohlman went back to Michigan to sell her home and move to Las Vegas.

She began her volunteer work at Desert Springs Hospital as a way to repay those who took good care of her and her husband while he was ill.

As a cashier Rohland had the ability to brighten anyone's day, friends say.

"Everyone knew Luciell. She was the lady who had a permanent smile on her face," Arlene Genser, a volunteer at Desert Springs gift shop, said. "She was a lovely lady. She loved people."

And everybody loved her. Rohlman received more than 200 get well cards from friends and hospital employees following a mastectomy in June 1994. She was 99 at the time and named the "Unsinkable Molly Brown" by her doctor for her speedy recovery.

Within months of the surgery Rohlman was back to work and back to dancing, kicking up her heels every Saturday night at the Dula Senior Center, where she served twice a week as a hostess.

Rohlman loved to dance and was never short a partner. She had many boyfriends, her son said.

Most importantly Rohlman passed on a legacy of happiness to her children and many grandchildren, her son said.

The key to a long, healthy life is to have fun and be cheerful, she once said.

In addition to being a life member volunteer at Desert Springs Hospital, Rohlman was a member of the Catholic Daughters.

She is survived by one daughter, Genevieve March of Las Vegas; three sons, Robert Rohlman of Las Vegas, John Rohlman of Homosassa, Fla., and Bertram Rohlman of Olathe, Kan.; 15 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m Tuesday at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St., and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the same location. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Guardian Angel Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Palm Valley View Cemetery.

Family suggests donations be made to M.A.S.H. Village.