Obituary of Harlene D. "Holly" Lawrie

After a 15-month battle with bone cancer, Harlene (Holly) Drewie Lawrie, with hands grasped lovingly by her sons, passed away in her Lodi home on March 16, at the age of 69. Holly was born on June 28, 1944 in Tacoma, Washington to Harry & Drewie Jones. She is survived by sons Mitchell Lawrie (Barbara) of Scottsdale AZ, Doug Lawrie of Lodi CA, Curtis Lawrie of Paradise CA, "brothers" R. Michael Lawrie (Liz) of Stockton, Stan Lawrie (Pat) of Charlton MA, "sister" Susan (Rosario) Zaragoza of West Covina CA and 9 grandchildren. A Private Committal will be at a later date. The family is organizing a "Celebration of Life" summer BBQ in Paul and Holly's memory. Please contact Doug or Mitch if you are interested in dropping by. A letter from Holly's Sons: Our Mom was a strong and loving woman who valued family above all. She spent her life providing love, guidance and a detailed, organized plan for Dad and us, her three boys. Love was always at the top of that list. Raised as the only child of Harry and Drewie Jones, her family moved to Santa Monica, CA when she was a young girl. As a student at Santa Monica High School, Mom was beautiful, smart and fiercely independent. And when she met Dad, it was clear they were an eternal match made in heaven! Mom and Dad spent every moment with us as a family when not working to make ends meet. We loved every aspect of our childhood, especially family times at home, boating, camping, fishing, and just hanging out with parents that we and our friends had so much fun being around. Mom lived to make our house a home and our family the singular purpose of her life. With three boys this was no easy task, yet we could always count on Mom to help us, no matter what kind of mess we may have gotten ourselves into...which happened to be more than a few. Friends and neighbors were also considered family and she would do anything to help anyone in need. To our Dad, Mom was the foundation of our family and the love of his life. Their care and affection for each other never faltered. It was evident in how they raised us and the adventure and joy they shared after we had begun raising their grandchildren. Inseparable in life, Mom followed Dad to Heaven within seven months of his passing. Until the day Mom left us, she was still loving, organizing and putting the needs of everyone around her ahead of her own. We will miss Mom everyday of our lives and thank God for the gift of her love and dedication to raising us to be the men we are today. We Love You Mom! Miss Harlene (Holly) D. Jones graced the Lawrie family in the spring of 1962 when she came into Paul's life. She had him at "Hello" - he fell hopelessly in love with her! Such a pretty 17 year old girl with beautiful, flowing, luxurious waist-length hair, Holly was shy, but sweet and warm - it was love at first sight for her and the Lawrie clan. She gained a "little brother" in Mike and a "sister" in me (Sue). She was the sister (Sissy) I never had and I fell in love with her too! I was just 14 years old. Holly and I would sit on the window seat in Mom and Dad's beautiful mountain cottage in Idyllwild and sing songs together or just talk teenage talk. It was an innocent, beautiful time that I'll forever hold dear to my heart! Two sweet, young teenage girls that had been brought together; who continued on to share a lifetime of family, fun, joy, sorrow - but most of all unconditional love! Holly and Paul married on 12/21/63. Holly was 19 and Paul 21. I was given the gift of being Holly's Maid of Honor. I was just 16 and thought they were so adorable and definitely "over the moon" in love! HOW ROMANTIC!!! By 1970, Paul and Holly's family was complete with 3 sons. How much fun we had and beautiful memories we made going on camping trips, family game nights, attending all the boys high school and college graduations and then the 3 boys' marriages! We had all come full circle - experiencing the "circle of life"! In Holly's lifetime, family always came first - her beautiful meals laden with her love, scrimping to save for special wants and needs for her boys and always but always - she had Paul's back! A true family unit! Through thick or thin, good times or bad - Holly made things "happen" for her family. HER GIFT WAS HER UNDYING LOVE FOR HER FAMILY! REST IN PEACE MY DEAR, SWEET SISSY.....I WILL MISS YOU FOREVER AND A DAY!!!!!