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Marni Lawson Obituary
WALDOBORO - Marni Mae Lawson, 68, passed away at the Sussman House in Rock-port, on Aug. 19, 2017.
Marni was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on May 27, 1949, the daughter of Edwin J. Pritchard and Muriel L. Benson Pritchard.
Marni grew up in Coopersburg, Pa., and attended local schools. She graduated from Springfield College in 1971. She taught physical education for 10 years in Andover, Mass., and in the mid coast Maine area.
She then pursued her watercolor art full-time in 1985 in Temple, Maine. Marni painted seascapes, landscapes and great escapes. Her paintings are in private homes all over the East Coast and in China.
She was an active member of the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ in Waldoboro. She participated in art and scripture courses there.
Marni is survived by her husband, Bradford K. Lawson, of Waldoboro; her mother, Muriel Pritchard, of Emmaus, Pa.; her son, Trevor Lawson, and wife Jessica, of Berwick; grandchildren, Bronwyn Lawson and Sorrell Lawson, of Berwick; sister, Linda Pritchard, of Marseilles, France; and brother, Mark Pritchard, Schwenksville, Pa.
There will be a private family gathering. Hall's of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit her Book of Memories at: www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations
in Marni's name may be made
to a cancer research organization
of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marni Lawson
Sue Shaw
August 16, 2025
I still remember...and still miss her...
Linda Pritchard
August 15, 2025
OK, this is for all of you who remember (or remembered) my sister in the years since she died. I spent about half an hour writing a long memorial of my own, then lost it in a stupid mix-up between different browser windows. So suffice it to say, I still miss her too, especially since our mother died the following year and our brother the year after that. Your ideas about Marni painting the sunsets are a beautiful and poetic thought. Her paintings are indeed lovely, and the few I have still bring joy to those who see them. Marcia, if you are still with us, I adore the painted garments you made, and still have most of the greeting cards you sent to Mom. Mary Ni, I think of you and remember Lawren often, grateful for all the joy you brought my sister. Sue, perhaps we've met, though I can't put a face to your name. Thank you so much for sharing your warm thoughts. And for all of us, let's remember that life is a remarkable gift we are privileged to experience as fully as possible, and that we are all in this adventure together on planet Earth. Everything else is secondary. Via con Dios.
Sue Shaw
August 16, 2024
I remember Marni...I never will forget.
It seems so long that she's been gone....a long, long time, and yet...
It seems like only yesterday---we'd paddle for a while...
Or ride our bikes or get out paints--I still can see her smile!
And when I think of color, something bright and lots of fun--
I always thing of Marni---because she was someone
Someone who saw the beauty, saw the art...used paint and pen
To share the 'where' with other folks who couldn't be there then.
And when I see a brilliant sunrise--then I feel deep in my heart
That Marni's blending colors for another painting 'start'!
I watch the colors bloom and run, I watch them mix and blend
And as I watch, I smile and read...a letter from my friend.
❤
Mary Ni
August 16, 2023
Once, in college, in the middle of a thunderstorm, Marni and I had to get from one part of campus to another. We had no umbrella between us and knew we were gong to get drenched. Rather than try to run madly through the raindrops, we decided to take it slow. We held hands, took a deep breath and skipped together down the sidewalk, swinging our arms, laughing, and savoring the spring wetness.
I still miss her.
Sue Shaw
August 16, 2023
I miss her every time I “play with art”. And lots of other times, too!
Mary Ni
August 16, 2021
I still miss her.
Sue Shaw
August 16, 2021
I still miss her so much. It seems as though I should be able to drive over to see her...and I am so sorry that I did not do more of that when I actually could! Her talent in so many areas was amazing...but one of the best was her talent for friendship and loving. Paint me a sunset, Marni!
Mary Ni
August 18, 2020
Yeah. I've kept her emails. Every so often, I'll go back to one and read what she'd said. There is often a joke somewhere in there that she'd shared, for a laugh. I'll see her with that sparkle in her eye and that mischievous smile she had. I miss her too.
Sue Shaw
August 16, 2020
I still miss her horribly and have trouble realizing that she is gone from us. I will see a face in a rock or a scene in clouds and think "Marni would love that...". Sometimes there is a painting technique that I can't quite remember and want to ask her about...and then I realize I can't. I'm sure she is still creating though...just look at the sunsets or reflections in the water!
jacqueline fairley
April 19, 2020
We met Marni and Brad during the 80's when we purchased a number of Marni's paintings. We became good friends and when in Maine would get together. Marni was very instrumental in helping me through my first bout with cancer. She told me to "go with my inner spirit." I have kept that with me whenever I am at a cross roads. Sorry we were not able to pay our respects when Marni passed.
Richard Swift
September 12, 2017
Marni was a wonderful person and teacher.
I'm sorry for her loss Brad.
Carol Hamal
September 8, 2017
I took several great classes that she taught at the Vienna Center for the Arts. I will always remember how she generously opened her home for holiday snowflake making.
Robyn Marciano Huck
September 1, 2017
Marni was my high school gym teacher in Andover, MA. She and Brad were extra supportive of me as I tried to settle into myself as a person. Being a jock and a musician and an artist was not an easy juggling act for me. But Marni knew exactly what sort of decisions I was trying to make. She was a real mentor and understanding friend. Marni touched many lives, and I, for one, am grateful.
Randall Nonemaker
August 31, 2017
Marni was an extraordinary person. I first met Marni in 1st grade in Coopersburg and have enjoyed knowing her, her enthusiasm in life, her music, and her watercolor paintings. As I can see from the other comments here and on Facebook, she touched so many lives and her memory and impact will live on forever.
Tricia Wurpel
August 30, 2017
Marni encouraged others to seek the artist that was inside of us. The classes I attended enriched my understanding of art and myself. My her spirit continue to inspire others through her works she left behind for all to share.
Bob Reichman
August 28, 2017
Marni shared the joy of creating with so many who didnt know that they had it within themselves. What a gift!
It's Marni I'll think of when I see bubbles.
Bob Reichman
August 28, 2017
Marni shared the gift of creating with those who didnt quite believe they had it within themselves. When I see bubbles, I will smile and think of her.
John Smith
August 28, 2017
Marni is one of the smartest, funniest, most loving, most creative and talented people I've ever known. She loved her family and friends without bounds. We will all miss her without bounds, too. Maybe we can think about Marni painting some of those beautiful watercolor sunsets and sunrises in the sky now. She'd like that.
August 26, 2017
Marni Mae was such a smart, funny, fun, sexy (!) and indomitable friend. I met her at Springfield College when we were both freshmen on the Women's Gymnastics Team. Her floor ex music was played by a friend she knew from high school, Lawren Daltroy. Years later, she introduced him to me when my second marriage was falling apart. Lawren and I became good friends, fell in love and, ultimately, got married. It was the best kind of marriage and I am forever grateful to Marni, for that fateful introduction!
Marni always thought her sister Linda was so much smarter than she was. I found that remarkable because I always thought Marni was the smartest person around. And whatever she did, Marni did so well... with a flourish. Studying, cooking, cleaning, talking, making art
The first time she was aware that she had cancer, Marni began to make creations that helped her deal with the disease in a way that made it more manageable. Other ways she also dealt with it was through laughter. Marni had a head full of jokes ready to share for an easy laugh!
I can hardly stand it that she died. I knew she was sick, but I thought I'd have more chances to see her, and talk to her, and laugh with her and to love her up close. I knew she wanted to live see her grandchildren graduate from high school. I think she still might, just not from this plane. I ache for the loss of her. But I am so glad I got to have Marni in my life. I am so grateful to have been able to benefit from her generosity and hospitality and funniness and cooking and conversation and remarkable art.
The people we love live on in our hearts. Marni will live on in my heart. God bless and comfort her family and all of us who miss her. And God bless Marni, such a special, shining, laughing light.
She had signs that read "Art is what you can get away with". Her art was wonderful!
Sue Shaw
August 25, 2017
Paddle on!
Sue Shaw
August 25, 2017
Marni and I have been friends since we met as PE teachers at the high school in Andover, MA in 1971. the world is a less beautiful place without her in it. Her art is wonderful--color, whimsey, thoughtfulness and massive amounts of creativity defined who she was. I bet she is already creating sunsets and sunrises with bleeding colors that will amaze all who see them! Her bumper sticker of "Practice random acts of kindness" was a reflection of her attitude. I will miss her horribly.
Marcia Ferris
August 24, 2017
Marni's mother lived across the street from me in PA. I met her when she and son Trevor visited. She was a talented artist. She encouraged me in my attempts at painting. I shall always remember her upbeat, happy personality as in this picture. On a wall in my house is a beautiful painting of sunflowers by Marni Lawrson.
Phyllis Lerner
August 23, 2017
Marni was a down the hall floormate at Springfield College when we started. We remained caring friends throughout those years and in many which followed. When she and family living in Virginia, we lunched together now and then, sharing healthy and less so realities. Her art work is, and will always be, a magical reflection of her soaring skills and spirit. This is a loss I will know and feel. My condolences to those of you who are close and have been with her ever step and day...that is a journey of grace and a blessing.
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