Theresa M. Lawrence

Theresa "Terry" (Wash) Lawrence, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love while under the care of Gracedale Nursing Home and Lehigh Valley Hospice on August 9, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Jack Lawrence, former Bethlehem City Councilman, who passed in 2013. Born May 28, 1933 in South Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Theresa (Freind) Vas and John Vas and was predeceased by her four older brothers Jim, George, John, and Bill, and her granddaughter Lauren Cressman. Terry was a proud 1951 Liberty High School alumna, earned a B.S. in Education from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, and spent her entire career teaching elementary school in the Bethlehem Area School District and St. John Capistrano School. She was very active in local, state and national democratic politics, served on many committees and attended national conventions and inaugurations. She served as a board member of the South Bethlehem Historical Society, St. Michaels Ladies' Auxiliary, and was active in the South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, Tammany Democratic Association, and other local beneficiary organizations. She was a former parishioner of St. John Capistrano and Holy Infancy churches. Her true joy and love were her family and many friends.

She will be forever missed by her children: Jayne Cressman and her husband Bob of Bethlehem, Jack and his wife Sue of Bethlehem, Jenifer and her husband Jim Della Croce of Bethlehem, and Jim and his wife 'Aine Hasham of Schnecksville, as well as her grandchildren: Julia Fiorentino (Scott Lueker), Robert Cressman, Amy (Mark) Emrick, Ethan (Alivia) Sinko, Gabriel Sinko, Jillian Sinko and great grandchildren: Noah, Charlotte, Jack, and Frankie. She'll be forever dancing in our hearts and building us up with Buttercups.

A viewing will be held at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 10-11:30 a.m. with a service to immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Theresa Lawrence's name may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice at www.lvhn.org/give/memorial-gifts or contributions may be made payable to LVHN with Theresa Lawrence and Hospice on the memo line and sent to: Lehigh Valley Health Network Office of Philanthropy PO Box 1883 Allentown, PA 18103