Ruth A. Lawson

1922 - 2017

Ruth A. Lawson, age 95, a long- time resident of Kaneville, IL passed peacefully on July 13, 2017 at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital surround by family. She was born February 16, 1922 in Muscatine, IA the daughter of the late John and Maude McCaffery. Ruth attended William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA where she studied accounting and stenography. Ever the vigilant book keeper, this education would prove useful in managing over six decades of business activities associated with Lyle Lawson Farms. Ruth was united in marriage to Lyle Lawson on June 5th, 1945. After a short residence in Oak Park, IL they moved to her beloved farm in Kaneville where she created a home and raised a family of five children. Throughout her life, Ruth was an active member of the Kaneville Methodist Church teaching Sunday School and participating in the choir. She was a talented artist and later in life found great pleasure in capturing natural landscape and human form on canvas. Ruth was a volunteer at WNIJ, Northern Public Radio, reading news and events of the day for the broadcast audience. Ruth was an amazing cook and would often play host to a number of hungry friends and relatives. In the summer months, she could be found outside working in her flower beds or enjoying the evening breeze and sweeping western views from her country home. Ruth is survived by her children Lynn (Bruce) Gulick, Davis Junction, IL, Robin (Kathy) Lawson Elburn, IL, Lauren Lawson, Ph.D. (husband Del Calhoun) Ruskin FL and Steven (Pheraba) Lawson Kaneville, IL; Reed Lawson, Geneva, IL; her fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchild; Lyle's son Phillip W. Lawson, Buford, GA; her siblings, MaryAnn Maxwell, Davenport, IA and Donald W. McCaffery, Ph.D. Santa Fe, NM; her caregiver Debbie Galvan. Ruth will be remembered as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend-she will be missed by all. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lyle Lawson. Private memorial services for friends and family will follow at a later date. Arrangements by The Healy Chapel, 370 Division Dr., Sugar Grove, IL 60554.