Laura L. Levering, a homemaker and traveler, died Sept. 27 of respiratory failure at her daughter's home in The Plains, Va. She was 87.

Laura Louise La Montagne, the daughter of a wine importer and a homemaker, was born in New York City. She later moved to Guilford with her family.

She attended Greenwood School and graduated in 1940 from the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in Greenwich, Conn. She later made her debut at the Bachelors Cotillon.

In 1957, she married J.P. Wade Levering, who was president and chief executive of National Sash Weight Corp. A year later, the couple moved to Palm Beach, where they lived for 20 years.

The couple, who later moved to Boca Grande, Fla., also maintained a home in Ruxton, where they lived part of the year.

Mr. Levering, who died in 2005, had been president of Florida Yacht Sales, a yacht brokerage.

Mrs. Levering had been a member of the Bath and Tennis Club and the Sailfish Club, both in Palm Beach.

Mrs. Levering and her husband enjoyed making transcontinental trips in their Airstream trailer and also traveled extensively in Europe.

Mrs. Levering, who died the day before her 88th birthday, was an avid croquet player.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 16 at Saters Church, Saters Lane, Lutherville.

Surviving are a daughter, Louise Hundley McLean of The Plains, Va.; a stepson, Ernest D. Levering of Reisterstown; a sister, Sarah Carter La Montagne Staples of Lutherville; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

fred.rasmussen@baltsun.com