Joanne Marie Lawson

Portsmouth, RI - Joanne Marie McCarthy Lawson, 68, of 59 Birchwood Drive Portsmouth, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI.She was the devoted wife of Bruce Ellis Lawson of Portsmouth, RI. Born in Brockton, MA on February 5, 1936, she was a loving daughter of the late James and Maude Geary McCarthy. Raised in Avon, MA, Mrs. Lawson was a 1953 graduate of Avon High School. Her life?s commitment was to her husband, children, family and friends. She was active in the planning and organizing of her 50th class reunion. Mrs. Lawson worked as a hairdresser prior to and while she was raising her family. She was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Newport, RI. Mrs. Lawson was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Leukemia Society. She also initiated the formation of Cub Scout Pack #66 of Portsmouth, RI. Besides her husband she is survived by four sons Bruce Eric Lawson of Portsmouth, RI, George Allen Lawson of Kittery, ME, Stephen James Lawson of Middletown, RI, and Craig Daniel Lawson of Portsmouth, RI, two daughters Laurie Anne Ratigan of East Greenwich, RI, and Julie Anne Vieira of Bristol, RI, two brothers James McCarthy of Marlboro, MA, and Gary McCarthy of East Bridgewater, MA, her sister Elaine Dombrosky of Brockton, MA, seventeen grandchildren and one great grandson.She was the grandmother of the late Kristyn Marie Lawson. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2004, at 11:00 AM in St. Peters Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth. Donatins in her memory may be made to the Leukemia Society Of America, RI Chapter, 75 Sockanosset Crossroads, Suite 206, Po Box 8099, Cranston, RI 02910.