John F. Lawrence

John Francis Lawrence, 90, passed away April 4, 2011 at his home in Cathlamet. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 13, 1920 to Samuel and Agnes (Cassidy) Lawrence. He graduated high school in Brooklyn and attended college in New York. He married Madelyn (Graves) Lawrence on February 8, 1947; she preceded him in death in 2007 after 60 years of marriage.

He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1943 until he retired as Major in 1959. He was a member of Order of the Caribou, Marine Corps Memorial Association and St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.

John loved his family, and enjoyed cooking, finance and politics.

He is survived by his sons, James Lawrence and Matthew Lawrence; daughters, Margaret Westberg and Elizabeth Dufek; a sister, Rita Stapleton; eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Madelyn; he was preceded by a son, John Christopher Lawrence (Margaret’s twin) in 1979; a daughter, Mary Jean Lawrence in 1953 and a sister, Frances E. Marshall.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. , Thursday (today) at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Cathlamet.

Entombment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in John Lawrence’s name to Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, P.O. Box 301, Garrison, NY 10524-0301 or Wahkiakum County Human Services, 42 Elochoman Valley Rd., Cathlamet, WA 98612.

Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.