Mary Lawrence
Mary (Gentile) Lawrence, of Milton, formerly of Hyde Park, March 6, beloved wife of the late John Lawrence. Devoted mother of Mary Jo Swiatkowski and her husband D. Michael of Weymouth, Jane Lawrence of Boston, and Susan Hartigan and her husband Michael of Milton. Sister of Anna Orsie of Weymouth, formerly of Braintree, Eileen Mecagni of Needham and the late Angelo Gentile, Maddie Johnson, Domenic Gentile, Marie Hameza and Joseph Gentile. Also survived by 9 grandchildren. Visiting hours in the Dolan-Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE, Fri, 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Agatha Church, Milton, Sat. March 9 at 10:30 am. Interment at St. Joseph Cemetery, W. Roxbury. In lieu of flowers donations in Mary’s name may be sent to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter, P.O. Box 845645, Boston, MA 0284-5945.
Guestbook Entries
My good friend Josie was a great oil painter who sold may lovely artworks around the Boston area…touching many people’s hearts with her still lifes, flowers and landscape paintings. She also knit together many art groups with her organizations skills. I have many fond memories of an accomplished woman artist who played many roles. She was focused on beauty, justice, arts, humanities and her family. Her sweet serenity will always be remembered with a smile.
What a great smile you always had. So glad I met you and I’ll remember your gentle ways.
Dear Josie. A bright light and a ‘Southie Chick’.
Artist. Mother. Sister. Friend.
You will be sadly missed, especially by 4th floor artists who have been so fortunate to have you as our ‘treasured’ treasurer.
Rest in peace, girlfriend.
Love you.
Dear Mary Jo, Jane and Susan,
Our heartfelt sympathies to you and your families on the passing of your mother. She was a lovely lady and will be greatly missed. May you all find some comfort in knowing that many also mourn your loss.
Dot & Ed
Dear Josie’s family,
We were deeply saddened to learn of Josie’s passing. She was a wonderful sister, mother, grandmother and friend. We know she lived life to the fullest and left a legacy in her art. May your memories sustain you during this time of sadness.
May she rest in peace,
Hollie and Leo
Aunt Josie was a beautiful and talented woman. She was a wonderful example of someone who lived life to the fullest. I extend my deepest sympathy to Mary Jo, Jane, Susan and your families. When I think of Aunt Josie, I picture her smiling with a twinkle in her eye.
Love,
Mary
Dear Josie,
Thank you for being our Mom’s best friend. We will always rembember you as our “Auntie Josie”. Having you in our lives has been such a blessing.
Love always,
The Ostiguys (Dolly’s girls)
Dear Susan and family,
Our family was so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother (grandmother). She was such a nice lady. Jordan spoke very highly of her. I remember how he wanted a prom picure with her in it….
I know how hard this must be and you must be so very sad. We are all thinking about you and will keep you, your family and your mother in our prayers.
God Bless,
Jackie and Jordan and the Noyes-Tassone clan
I am so sad to hear about Josie’s passing. Even though I only knew her briefly, I will always feel fortunate to have known her. Especially at her 80th birthday last year. She really enjoyed the art cards and box of yodels I gave her while playing “Coal Miner’s Daughter”! What I loved most about our long talks was her stories of her life and travels. She really was a history book! I learned so much from her about Boston history. Her husband was a Boston police officer at the same time as my father-in-law and they both lived in Hyde Park. We had many overlaps in our lives.
I hope for her grieving family and friends, as for me, the biggest source of comfort now is knowing she was a devout Christian and through her faith will enjoy paradise as promised in scripture. When the Lord returns, and “the dead in Christ will rise first”, I am sure Josie will be among the first raised. Smart, classy, talented, funny, so energetic and enormously kind. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Rest in Peace Sweet Josie!
Mary Jo, Jane and Susan,
I grieve with you on the loss of your mother and wish I could be there for you but I am home sick and unable to attend the services. I loved it when ever Auntie Josie came to the house because she would always give me suggestions on how to stage my rooms. What a diference it made. That was just one of her many artistic talents.
She is in the hands of the Lord now and may she rest in peace.
Love
Carol
HOW CAN I EXPRESS MY FEELINGS ! JOSIE!!!1
WE HAD SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER AT THE MUSEUM SHOP ETC.
I EVEN HAVE A FEW OF HER EARLY PAINTINGS.
I AM THE ONLY PERSON LEFT OF THE MUSEUM SHOP NOW.
MY HEART IS BROKEN.. MY LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO ALL OF
HER LOVELY FAMILY. . SO LONG JOSIE ! GOD IS WITH YOU
MARIE PRATA JFK MUSEUM.
.
Josie was a wonderful colleague and friend for many years at the JFK Library. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
Susan & Family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear about your Mom. (I just read an email; I am attending a conference in KY.)
I shall have some very happy memories of time spent with Josie. She was a gentle lady and a talented artist. I always admired her for pursuing her higher ed degrees as an adult learner (I followed in her footsteps): after raising her family, etc.
Sincere sympathy to you and your family,
Josie was my colleague on the board of the Milton Art Museum. Her energy, creative ideas, curiosity and her ability to link her worlds and experiences together made her a most treasured asset on the board.
We will miss her presence, yet her smile and spirit will live on.
Her memory is a blessing…