Elizabeth Carey "Beth" Lawson

ELIZABETH (BETH) CAREY LAWSON
February 11, 1955 ˜ June 14, 2023

Beth was born Feb. 11, 1955, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Corvallis, OR. She died of cancer on June 14, 2023, at home in Vancouver, WA, with Bob and Carrie at her side.

Beth was raised on a grass seed farm in Halsey, OR, with Margaret Carey (mother), Bob Carey (father), and Bill Carey (brother). She graduated from Central Linn High School in 1974 and attended Willamette University where she received a bachelor’s degrees in music performance and early childhood education in 1977. She received her Master of Music at the University of Portland in 1996. Beth began her career in Port Orford, OR, in 1977, teaching music at elementary and middle schools. In 1979, she relocated to Albany, OR, and ran a Yamaha music school until 1987, at which time she moved to Portland, OR, and worked at a Yamaha music school in Lake Oswego. She joined the Portland Opera and the Opera Players, where she was able to share her love of music at area schools and community events. She met Bob Lawson in June 1988, and after a short courtship they were married on Dec. 17, 1988. They moved to Vancouver, WA, where she taught music for the Vancouver School District from 1990 until 2014. On Oct. 14, 1993, Carrie Elizabeth Lawson completed the family.

Beth loved singing and teaching. She sang in many productions and was a soloist in church. Beth loved classical, opera and jazz. Her album in 2019 titled Liebe und Leben: Love and Life contains songs following a woman’s life, the first set is classical followed by jazz songs with the same theme. In January 2023, she recorded 12 classical church songs arranged by Brenda Portman, with Martin Ellis and Linda Bergman. The music videos will be available on YouTube @ElizabethCareyLawson. She was a member of The Frustrated Maestros, a musical group with Family Motor Coach association. She sang and played both the keyboard and guitar at the rallies. She first met this group in Albany, OR, and with the motor home, she and Bob were able to attend rallies in Indio, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Minot, ND. Beth spent the last week before her death singing in a rally in Albany, OR.

Beth is survived by her husband, Robert L Lawson Jr; her brother, Will Carey; and her daughter, Carrie Elizabeth Lawson.

Funeral will be on Aug. 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s San Lucas located, 426 E 4th Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98663.
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