Betty J. Lawrence

Betty J. Lawrence, a long-time resident of the Kent area, died Sunday July 3rd at Mulberry Gardens Assisted Living, surrounded by her family. Born in 1925 in Sugar Creek Ohio. Betty received a Registered Nursing Education from Mount Sinai Nursing School of Cleveland in 1946. Betty was the Emergency Room Head Nurse at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron for most of her 41-year career and was awarded an Honorary Alumni of St. Thomas School of Nursing. She served as a Cadet Nurse during WWII.

Betty loved her family, church, bible study groups and the Portage Red Hat Club. She also enjoyed family gatherings, talking about her grandchildren, traveling, good food, and the rare opportunities when she had all six of her children together. She enjoyed telling her friends and family, "Don't worry, be happy".

Preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Thomas G. Lawrence and her parents, Charles and Detta Wingard; and sister, Lois "Tate" Ausiello. She is survived by her 6 children, Dennis (Alice) - Vale AZ, Richard (Kathy) - Ruskin, FL, Carol Moreland - Caldwell, TX, Kathy Williams (Paul) - Cuyahoga Falls, Larry (Karen) - N. Lima, Ed (Donna) - Chattanooga, TN. She was so proud of her 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. And sister, Janet (Dick) Rhoads - Kent; and brother, Robert (Joan) Wingard - Kent.

A memorial and celebration of life service will be held for friends and family on July 7th at 3pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 S. Water St., Kent Ohio 44240 with Pastor Doug Fidler officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Betty can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.