Joan L. Lawrence

With her children at her side, Joan (Joanne) L. Lawrence fell asleep in the arms of the Lord on December 14 at Hospice of the Piedmont in High Point. The third child of Charles J. Grady and Mary L. Corbett, she grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts and graduated from St. Clement’s High School. Joanne’s two older siblings—Ruth O’Brien and the Rev. Charles Grady—predeceased her. Her beloved husband of 52 years, John F. Lawrence, passed away in 2000. Their life together included years in Concord, MA, Pittsburgh, PA, Wyckoff, NJ, and in NC—Charlotte, Wilmington, Sanford and Pinehurst. Her younger sister, Louise Bates, lives in Scituate, MA, and was able to make a final visit to Joanne in November.

Joanne’s two children are Linda Turza of Cornelius, and Kevin Lawrence (Barbara) of Winston Salem; her four grandchildren are Sarah Turza and Heather Turza (Jonathan Robinson) of Charlotte, Irene Lawrence (Nicolas Lira) of Kansas City, and Daniel Lawrence of New York City.

From 1974 to 1990 Joanne ran the home office of Beacon Brokers, which she and her husband established in Charlotte. A woman of deep faith, she was a long-time volunteer at Charlotte’s Mercy Hospital, and she served Catholic parishes in Wilmington, Pinehurst and High Point as a Eucharistic minister for more than 20 years. She was a charter member of Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point; during her 10 years as part of that community she welcomed everyone she met, creating wonderful friendships. A devoted animal lover, she was much appreciated by the ducks who regularly visited her doorstep, and the many rescued pets she adopted, especially her favorite cat Stuie.

Her family will always be inspired by her steadfast integrity. We will remember her cheerful optimism, sparkling wit, and selfless care for us. We will miss the joyful sound of her laughter.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 2205 West Market Street, Greensboro on Tuesday, December 19, at 10AM. A private service of interment will follow in Pinehurst. Online condolences may be made at cumbyfuneral.com. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are encouraged to consider Pennybyrn’s Resident Care Campaign (pennybyrnliving.org/giving-to-pennybyrn), Hospice of the Piedmont (www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org), or Loving Pet Inn Adoptions in High Point (lovingpetinnadoptions.org).

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