Eleanor June Lawrence

Eleanor June Lawrence1928 - 2008 SHAFTSBURY, VT. - Eleanor June Lawrence passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Feb. 28, 2008 after a six-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Anyone who knew her recognizes that heaven's choir of angels will be enriched by her presence. Eleanor began her life in Johnson, Vt., on March 8, 1928, as the eldest of two daughters of Rupert and Gwendolyn Scribner. She graduated valedictorian from the Johnson Vermont High School in 1946. Eleanor attended the University of Vermont in Burlington where she met and dated Alvan J. Lawrence at UVM and became his bride in June 1949. They graduated together in 1950 and were married for 57 years before Alvan passed away in 2006. She often said of Alvan, "he always suited me just fine". Al and Eleanor moved to Polymeadows Farm of Shaftsbury in 1953, and bought it in 1965. They raised their two children on the farm. Their son, Melvin and his wife, Jennifer, operate a goat dairy farm there now. Eleanor's passion was music, and she learned to play the organ at an early age. Eleanor was proud of having sung a solo on Waterbury, Vt., WDEV radio at the age 5. She was a vocal soloist and substitute church organist at the Adventist Church in N. Hyde Park by the age of 7. By age 12 Eleanor was substitute and later the regular organist on the pipe organ in the Congregational Church in Johnson. She was an organ recitalist in Darien Center, N.Y. For years Eleanor was the regular organist at the Methodist Church in Bennington and earlier in Attica N.Y. Eleanor was the regular organist, choir director and a director of music at the First United Methodist Church in Shaftsbury for 42 years. She received an award in 2003 when they also dedicated the choir loft to her. Eleanor Lawrence was very involved with Church Women United at the national, state and local levels for years. She was the pianist and organist for most of the time. She was the 1992 recipient of the Valiant Woman Award of the Bennington Vermont Unit of Church Women United because of her faithful, loyal and dedicated 34-year service. The members of the Bennington Unit of CWU considered her the "First Lady" of Church Women United in the State of VT. She truly portrays all the Christian ideals of this Movement. She is a lady whom we all desire to emulate. Eleanor has also been very active in her local church and home away from home, the First United Methodist Church, Shaftsbury where she held many positions. In her free time, Eleanor loved flower gardening. Other than classical music, nothing brightened her life like red roses. Her kitchen was usually decorated with cut flowers from her gardens all spring and summer long. The Taconic Grange of Shaftsbury Vermont presented Al and Eleanor with the Community Citizens Award in 1989. Eleanor leaves behind her daughter, Wanda Bezio of South Burlington, and son, Melvin Lawrence of Shaftsbury. She also leaves her son-in-law, Danny Bezio; Wanda and Danny's children, Bart and Molly; Bart's wife, Kylee; and twin great-grandchildren, Caleb and Meghan Bezio; Melvin's children, Jarred and Ashley Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lawrence, and her children, Leelynn and Lillian King; her brothers, Stanley Scribner and sister-in-law, Catherine, and Reginald Scribner and wife, Marge; sister, Audrey Marshia and husband, Stanley; sister-in-law, Virginia Lawrence, widow of Richard, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her brothers-in-law, Allan Lawrence and sister-in-law, Kathie; James Lawrence and his wife, Marion; Carroll Lawrence and his partner, Shirley, Eleanor was predeceased by her husband, Alvan, her sister Gloria Bahrenburg, her mother Gwendolyn Scribner, her father, Rupert Scribner and a brother-in-law, Richard Lawrence. The family wishes to acknowledge their undying gratitude to Eleanor's daughter-in-law, Jennifer, who brought Eleanor home from the nursing home and took care of her for the last couple of years. Also the family wishes to thank very special caregivers Karen, Mary and Shelley, of whom Eleanor was very fond, for their love and care. We would also like to express appreciation to Lillian King, RN, for her gentle and expert care during Eleanor's final days. FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours with the family are from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be along side Alvan in the Center Shaftsbury Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are made by HANSON-WALBRIDGE FUNERAL HOME. Contributions in her name to the Shaftsbury Methodist Church in care of the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201. To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, 213 West Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.]]>