Lynette "Lawrence" Moore

Lynette Theresa (Lawrence) Moore, age 70, died peacefully of Congestive Heart Failure on September 16 at Corewell Health (Cedar St.) in Grand Rapids, MI.

Lynette was a 1975 graduate of Owosso High School and later attended Baptist Bible College in Grand Rapids, earning her Bachelor's degree in Counseling. She became a dedicated Disability Rights Advocate, who was herself born with Spina Bifida and reliant on a wheelchair.

Lynette worked with several Grand Rapids-area groups on increasing accessibility for people with mobility challenges. This work led to Lynette's selection to attend the Americans with Disabilities Act signing ceremony at the White House in 1990.

Lynette also enjoyed working with children with disabilities and helped match Big Brothers and Big Sisters with Little Brothers and Little Sisters. She volunteered with The Campfire Girls, helping children with disabilities access and enjoy the outdoors.

Her work on a Grand Rapids area cable access television program for people with disabilities would also result in her meeting a camera man, and future husband, Phillip L. Moore. The devoted couple married in the late-1980s and were together until his death on July 1st - just a few short months before Lynette's.

In a 1983 Grand Rapid's Press article about Lynette's life and work, she spoke poignantly about the need for open dialogue about disabilities, and how she (and others) felt "invisible" when people avoided eye contact because she used a wheelchair. She strove to help people with disabilities break barriers in social, recreational, educational and professional settings - and encouraged others to not react in fear to their condition(s).

Lynette benefitted from having a service dog named Sam, a black Lab specially trained to aid a person in a wheelchair. She volunteered at the service dog non-profit Paws with A Cause in Grand Rapids and promoted the benefits of these highly trained animals for people with many different types of disabilities at home and in public settings.

An avid crafter, poetry writer, movie-watcher, reader, board and card game player, Lynette attended many family gatherings and especially enjoyed her paternal grandparents' hometown of Lake City, MI, where she spent considerable time as a child. She was known for her "spunky" personality, boisterous laughter, and positive outlook on life despite the personal challenges she endured.

Lynette is survived by her brother, Steve (Carol) Lawrence of Owosso, MI., two sisters: Leanne E. Taylor of Greendale, WI., and Lana R. Lawrence of Rehoboth Beach, DE., three uncles, an aunt, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by both parents, Margaret and Walter Lawrence, Sr., infant sister Donna Rae Lawrence, her brother Walter Lawrence, Jr., her sister-in-law Carolyn Y. Lawrence, and her loyal service dog Sam.

The family wishes to thank her Grand-Rapids-area cousins, especially Rose, who spent time visiting Lynette and meeting with her care team, as well as the wonderful staff at Corewell Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions, if desired, may be sent in memory of Lynette Moore to Corewell Hospice, 1226 Cedar St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.