MOIRA PATRICIA LAWRENCE

(nee McGuffin) May 1 1927 – August 14 2025 Moira Lawrence, wife, best friend, and partner of the Hon. Allan F. Lawrence until his passing in 2008. She was born in Toronto, at home on Broadview Avenue, and raised on Tennis Crescent, south of the Danforth, the third child of James and Letitia (Graham) McGuffin. Predeceased by her siblings, James McGuffin of North York, Norah Hendra of Toronto, and William McGuffin of Ottawa. As a child, she was chosen to attend Saturday morning art classes at what is now the AGO, and always dreamed of a career in art, however family finances dictated she attend Eastern High School of Commerce, where she trained as a secretary. When she met Allan playing basketball at St. Paul's Bloor Street at 15 years old, it was love at first sight for both of them. As a legal secretary, Moira worked Allan through law school after their marriage. A voracious lifelong reader, she read through Allan's university reading list while working full-time at Maclean-Hunter. She was the first female president of the Toronto Young Progressive Conservatives. Following Allan's graduation, they moved to London, UK, which they used as a base as they discovered the wonders of post-war Europe, returning to Toronto to start a family. From Allan's time as MPP for St. George riding in Toronto, through his run for the Ontario PC leadership against Bill Davis, to his federal career as MP for Durham Northumberland, she was his right hand and closest advisor while raising two children, Sean (Esther Shipman) and Alison (Brian Young). She lived to always "be of use" and beyond politics, volunteered for many organizations, notably the Victoria Day Nursery, the Manvers Historical Society (which she co-founded), Beyond the Blue Box in Cobourg and TPL's Bookends. She was also a long-time member of the Jane Austen Society. She is survived by her children and her grandchildren, Emma Healey and Declan Lawrence, of whom she was immensely proud, and many nieces and nephews. She leaves so many friends, from Toronto, Manvers Township, Cobourg and beyond, especially her dear friend, Jean Orpwood, whom she met in kindergarten at Earl Kitchener Public School, and who visited her days before Moira passed away. The family would like to thank her caregivers: Roberta Scott, her PSWs from the Neighbourhood Group (especially Mulu and Alma), the VHA and from C Care, particularly Clara, who was with her so much over the last year, the staff at the Grenadier, and finally, Toronto Grace Hospital. Moira was much loved; she was a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life. Funeral service at St. Mary's Lifford, Ontario, where her ashes will be interred next to Allan's, Tuesday, September 9th, at 1:00 p.m. (Lifford Road is the first concession road north of Highway 7A, east of Highway 35.). In lieu of flowers, please donate to the TPL Foundation, Toronto Grace Hospital 6th Floor Palliative Care Unit, or the Charity of Your Choice.