Elizabeth C. Lawrence

Lawrence, Elizabeth C. of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor
Died peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2011 in Chelsea. She was 90 years old. She was born July 17, 1921 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Harry F. and Mary (Carwardine) Jones. Elizabeth graduated at the top of her class at Scranton Technical High School. Elizabeth gave back to the community that she grew up in, as a Girl Scout leader. She attended Lackawanna Business College where she completed a course of study to prepared her to become a Legal Secretary. The State of Pennsylvania hired her as an administrative assistant were she worked until her marriage. On August 29, 1950, she married William H. Lawrence. When her new husband was accepted into Syracuse University, Elizabeth made their home in the married student housing on campus until his graduation in the Spring of 1955. Elizabeth moved her household again in 1955, this time to distant Ann Arbor, Michigan where her husband had been offered a research position with the University of Michigan. In the last decade of her life she lived a pleasant retired life, with her husband, at Silver Maples in Chelsea Michigan. Elizabeth was a volunteer for the Ann Arbor March of Dimes, was active in the U of M Faculty Woman's Club, as well as an enthusiastic participant in the musical and social entertainment known as Four-Hand Piano. She and her husband enjoyed square dancing. She was a devout member of the First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor. She enjoyed camping, oil painting and making enameled copper jewelry. She sewed many articles worn by her or treasured by her family, and was an accomplished pianist and could fill in as a substitute church organist when required. She was fond of learning and the arts and shared this love with her children. With her encouragement, both of her children completed advanced degrees in their respective areas of interest. Her constant companion of sixty-one years, her devoted husband, William, survives her; as well as a son, William H. (Kip Anne) Lawrence Jr. of San Angelo, TX; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth (David) Leach of Ann Arbor; two grandchildren, Tyler and Marisa Leach; and a nephew, James Manley. She was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis Manley. Elizabeth will be interred at the First United Methodist Memorial Gardens of Ann Arbor. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m. at the Chelsea Retirement Chapel. This will be followed by an informal remembrance with refreshments at the Maples Room at Silver Maples of Chelsea. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 120 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Arrangements were handled by Cole Funeral Chapel.