Wedding Party
Casey Lazor Rosenow
Matron of Honor
Casey is Ava's older sister and will forever be Her Person. Casey and Ava are famous for dissolving into fits of laughter, and their similarities will terrify anyone meeting the other for the first time. (Read: To love Ava is to love Casey.) Casey is a talented actress and a truly gifted mother. Casey and her wonderful husband, Richard, have traveled the country together and lived in various cities (Chicago, Nashville, NYC, Fremont, and Austin, to name a few), but currently live in Butler, PA with their two beautiful children, Jack (6) and Daisy (2). They will all be in Florida by the end of the year!
Chris Bence
Best Man
Chris is Tommy’s older brother and the eldest of the three Bence siblings. Growing up Tommy always looked up to Chris, even though he was mostly beat down in return - so goes brotherly love. The two have always connected through sports (hockey, golf, football) and competitive games, but the depth of their bond took deeper roots when Tommy (freshman) joined Christopher (senior) at the University of Michigan and Delta Chi Fraternity. Chris and his loving wife Chrissy live in Ann Arbor where they raise their two adorable girls, Rory (4) and Frankie (2).
Lisa Bence
Bridesmaid
Lisa is Tommy's older sister - they are 2 years apart and have maintained a close relationship despite distance and time zone challenges over the last decade. One of many things that they bond over is their love for exploring and hiking. The first time Lisa met Ava was the night before she, Ava, and Tommy set off for a hiking adventure in Yosemite. Lisa was instantly in awe of not only Ava’s rock knowledge but her love for Tommy. Lisa says Ava and Tommy are a perfect fit and it warms her heart to see her little brother so in love and happy. Here’s to Ava and Tommy!
Luke Bowser
Groomsman
Luke is Ava's 19-year old little brother and has been the light of her life since he was born. The kid brother of two teen-aged sisters, Luke was voted the World's Most Held Baby three years in a row (2006-2009). Luke is a committed boxer and has spent several years honing his craft by training under former heavyweight champion boxer Brian Minto and by shadowboxing Ava over Christmas breaks.
Lexis Frost
Bridesmaid
Lexis and Ava have been best friends since first grade (2000), and since then, they've fostered a nearly 25-year friendship that looks closer to sisterhood. They were in the same class every year of elementary school, and they scarcely have memories without each other. Lexis is a tremendous and accomplished athlete, competing in gymnastics her entire growing-up, Division 1 track & field at Duquesne, and now, competitive powerlifting. Throughout their years of now long-distance friendship, Lexis and Ava have maintained a close bond that will last a lifetime. (They have a pact to live together in their old age.) Lexis lives in Pittsburgh with her incredible husband, Ali.
James Imirzian
Groomsman
James and Tommy met when they were about five years old in cub scouts, and now have been pals for over three decades. They didn’t last long in scouts but stayed connected through sports and music. Through middle and high school they gave a go at jazz and rock bands with James musical gifts shining on the sax and guitar and Tommy slapping the bass trying to keep up. Both attended University of Michigan together and even graduated despite their joint love of beer, whiskey, and mischief. James never left Ann Arbor and recently settled into a home with his charming wife Linda.
Marty Lazor
Father of the Bride
Marty is a fascinating and admirable person, wonderful father, and lifelong student of history. After growing up in Farrell, PA as the son of two Slovaks - Andy (steel worker) and Mary (semi-professional pierogi maker) - Marty went off to the University of Chicago, got his MBA, and spent a long and fruitful career at PNC Bank before retiring (save some stints in consulting). He raised his daughters, Casey and Ava, with many core values, including to value travel and to pursue truth and understanding endlessly. Marty splits his time between Pittsburgh and Tionesta, PA, a tiny town in the Allegheny Forest, with his wife (Karen), Australian Shepherd (Addy), and, occasionally, now-grown stepchildren (Alex and Eric).
Heidi Nicholls-Bowser
Mother of the Bride
Heidi is from Chicago and is the daughter of Christel Stueckrad (originally of Stuttgart, Germany) and Arlen Nicholls (of Des Moines, IA). She grew up an athlete, speed-skating competitively and, later, playing Division 1 tennis at the University of Illinois. Heidi is a professional actress and dedicated much of her life to the Butler Little Theatre, one of the oldest continuously active community theatres in the country. She is also a life-long fitness enthusiast and taught group exercise at the Butler YMCA for many years. Heidi is now the Director of (both!) Healthy Living and of Membership at the YMCA. She lives in Butler with her husband, Casey, and son, Luke.
Bob Bence
Father of the Groom
Bob has spent the majority of his life in Michigan being raised as one of three Bence brothers by the late Roy and Joan Bence. Bob walked on to the swim team at Notre Dame before finding the vibes of Miami of Ohio (BS) and University of Michigan (MBA) were more accepting of his rowdy college ambitions. Before retiring, he was a lifelong salesman of rubber, plastics, and Chevrolets. Bob always found time for his children and was even popular among all the neighborhood friends - potentially due to his lax stance on abiding by rules. Bob and Shari now live in Northville where they are close to their four grandchildren.
Shari Bence
Mother of the Groom
Shari has also spent the majority of her life in Michigan, being the middle child of Dottie and the late Walter Smith. She has a passion for photography and graduated with a journalism major from Franklin College. Shari is an incredibly loving mother and it took all the love in the world to keep the three Bence children in line growing up. Tommy has always been a momma’s boy and will always be one. Shari took a job in the front office of Post Guard when her children started leaving for college and out of sheer hard work and talent ascended to running the sales division for the company.
Casey Bowser
Officiant
Casey is Ava's stepfather and was the second Casey to change Heidi's life forever. Casey grew up in nearby Slate Lick, PA to two adoring parents, the late Bob and Pearl Bowser. Casey has the gift of humor and has been making Ava laugh in stitches since she was 9. Casey, like Heidi, has also committed much of his life to the Butler Little Theatre and not only acts in and directs shows, but also sits on the Board and play-reading committee. Casey lives in Butler, PA with his wife, Heidi, and son, Luke.