Elizabeth Lawrence Obituary
Elizabeth (Betty) Lawrence, born March 27, 1925 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, daughter of Quentin and Irene (Orr) Casterline, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2023, at Harris Hill in Concord, NH. She returns to the open arms of God and her beloved husband Bob, and many family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Robert Lawrence and three sisters Jean Hughes, Marion Honeywell and Leah Casterline, and granddaughter Megan Clements. Her greatest treasure was her family. She is survived by her three children (and spouses), Patricia Ritzo (John), Beverly Clements (James), and Stephen Lawrence (Kathy); as well as her seven grandchildren Molly Ritzo (Philip McLure), Jolie Coleman (Chad), John Ritzo (Sarah), Caitlin Paige (Dan), Laura Luna (Jaime), Joseph Lawrence and Ellen Lawrence. Her love grew even greater with the addition of eight great grandchildren Porter, Cannon, Natalie, Althea, Finley, Bailey, Jackson and Summer.
Betty married Robert Lawrence, a US Navy veteran of World War II in July of 1946. A pioneer in many ways, she and Bob moved from the comfort and large family support in Plainfield, New Jersey to Franconia, New Hampshire in the White Mountains. They knew no one upon arrival in their new surroundings. Betty was pregnant with son Stephen and had two young children in tow, Patti 6 and Bev 3. After the first few very trying years, Betty and Bob launched what became one of the largest construction firms in the region, designing and building many area homes and businesses including the Mittersill Resort Village. Betty did the accounting and finance for the business. They resided in Franconia and were married over 73 years until Bob's passing in 2019.
Her stories were of colorful memories such as summers growing up spent with her many cousins in Old Boston, a small village in Pittston Pennsylvania, where her extended family lived and loved to congregate. Betty's family continued to visit Old Boston for many years to follow.
Living in Franconia, Betty loved having a house full of people, making a big pot of spaghetti and enjoying every one's company that came through the door, making them feel welcomed and always well fed. Her grandchildren fondly remember entering Grandma's house where you expected and received a big hug and then would go straight to the cookie jar for the world's best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. She wanted to hear about everything that was going on in everyone's lives. Easy to talk to and when asked she could always share wise advice in a loving and gentle way.
Betty was always an avid reader and a lifelong learner. Early on she took time to learn all about football when her family took interest (becoming a Pittsburgh Steelers fan). Later she learned all about the desk top computer at age 80. At age 90 she was delighted to get a new laptop computer and loved the ability to instantly write and send letters and pictures to friends and family located all over. She was called Dr. Mom by family and friends for her continual interest and study of medical topics which impressed family physicians. She believed mostly in sensible homeopathic solutions, like her self-imposed diet to reduce cholesterol no longer needing medication. Walking side by side with husband Bob in Franconia and Littleton was a favorite activity, and being outdoors in so many ways with skiing at Cannon Mountain, archery, golfing in Sugar Hill, swimming at Forest Lake or in later years a couple hours of brisk hand mowing with Bob on their large lawn in Franconia, which the couple did well into their 90's.The reward would be to split a bottle of beer when the job was done! Always up for travel Betty would claim, "my suitcase is packed and ready to go anytime"and then would drive long distances to come to the rescue if you needed a babysitter. All of the grandchildren have fond memories of their beloved Grandma coming to stay for a few days. She; loved to travel and enjoyed many trips with her sisters and sailing adventures with her husband Bob and their friends.
Other interests and passions were cooking, yard sale treasures, playing cribbage, Boston Red Sox, politics, and music. She played piano and guitar and appreciated all types of music from Glenn Miller to the Grateful Dead and Patsy Cline to Pavarotti. She saw the beauty in all.
Elizabeth Lawrence's life was led by her deep faith in God which helped her through many of life's obstacles and that strong belief radiated to her family. Betty, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma set a true example of a life well lived. She did not react with judgement but always with love, gratitude and kindness. She is sadly missed by all while we can also be happy for her new journey into the everlasting light of God.
A private family memorial service is planned. In Lieu of flowers or gifts, Betty's family respectfully requests all to do an extra act of kindness in her memory.
