Florence Elizabeth Lawrence

Services: A Funeral Mass will be held at the St. George's Catholic Church, Valley Lee, MD on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 10:30 AM with Father Mark Ervin officiating. Interment will follow in the St. George's Catholic Church Cemetery. Visitation: Public Viewing/Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday July 7, 2004 from 5-8 PM with prayers being said at 7:00 PM. Florence Elizabeth Lawrence, 76, of Valley Lee, Maryland and lifelong resident of St. Mary's County died on July 1, 2004 in Washington Hospital Center. Born on June 9, 1928 in Drayden, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Mary Agnes Dyson and Oscar Dailey. Florence was a dedicated catholic who professed and practiced her faith. She attended St. George Catholic Church all of her life. She preferred attending Mass on Saturday at 5:30 P.M., or early Sunday morning Mass. Florence was a very dedicated member, always helping wherever or whenever she could in the church. Florence was united in marriage on June 3, 1951, Great Mills, Maryland to the late Joseph Aloysius Lawrence. They were blessed with 47 years of marriage before his death. No children were born in the marriage, however, Florence and Sonny had many nieces and nephews. They accepted the children of the community whom called them Aunt Florence and Uncle Sonny. Florence was educated in the public school system, attending the No. 1 School in Drayden, Maryland. Today, the school is now a historical land mark. Florence worked for the Jack Daugherty Family for 53 years. They became her extended family after a long and loving relationship. She continued to work for the Daugherty family until she recently became ill. If you asked her about retiring, she would say, "Retire! Why should I retire? I like what I do, and anyway, what would I do everyday? I'm not going to sit at homeâ?¦" Florence was an active member of her church, and the 2nd District Fire Department Auxiliary. She was exuberant and would go beyond limits in accomplishing the missions of the 2nd District Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Pride of St. Mary's #782 Elks Lodge. Florence lived her life to the fullest, in her own way. She loved people, and made friends easily. She never knew a stranger If she was in the presence of someone, who appeared to be a stranger, she would politely make conversation with the person, asking, "Who are you? Do you live around here? Who are your relatives? "The conversation would go on, and before that stranger knew it, Florence had made another friend. Florence loved to be among family and friends to enjoy a festive meal, to dance to the oldies but good oldies, play cards, or tell a joke or a riddle. No one could tell a joke or a riddle like Florence. She had a routine that was familiar to all of her neighbors, a daily visit to or from (mostly to) their homes May GOD Bless You All! On Thursday, July 1, 2004, at 11:00 P.M. after a short battle with Cancer, Florence peacefully left us left us for eternal rest, because she knew GOD knows best. Florence leaves a rich legacy of love and fond memories to her family and friends. Florence was the loving wife of the late Joseph Aloysius Lawrence. Florence was preceded in death by five brothers Clyde, Stephen, Arthur, Thomas and Edward, four sisters Lucille, Emma, Bessie and Mary Frances, Also predeased by two sister-in-laws and eight brother-in-laws. Florence leaves to cherish her memories six sister-in-laws; Grace Louise, Ann, Geneva and Nellie, two brother-in-laws; Floyd and Ralph, as well as a very special cousin Irene Syndor (William), devoted nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 from 5â?? 8 P.M. with prayers at 7:00 P.M. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 10:30 A.M. at St. George's Catholic Church with Rev. Mark W. Ervin officiating and interment will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers for Mrs. Lawrence will be Marvin Banks, Tyrone Clayton, James Jenkins, Charles Lawrence, Francis Maddox and Thomas Saxon. Honorary Pallbearers will be the 2nd District Fire Department Auxiliary. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 and/or 2nd District Fire Department Auxiliary, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, Maryland 20692.