LAWSON, Dorothy

LAWSON

DOROTHY “IRENE” LAWSON (Waterhouse) born July 23,1928 in Cereal Alberta, passed away peacefully on May 18th,2017 at the St. Michael’s Health Centre Palliative Care in Lethbridge. Irene is survived by her sister Ruth McMahon of Nanton, her sister-in-law Mary Waterhouse of Cereal, Irene’s four children Barry (Chris) Lawson of Red Deer, Bonnie Lawson of Calgary, Sheri (Peter) Dyck of Lethbridge, Shawn (Ron) Taylor of Dryden, Ontario, nine Grandchildren, six Great Grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Irene was raised in Cereal, being the youngest of seven children. Part of her education included attending Olds College to become a seamstress. As a young woman, she moved to Lethbridge to help her relatives. She was employed at Draffins Pharmacy where she met her future husband Roy Lawson. After Roy’s passing in 1971, Irene was left a young widow to raise her children, strong and determined, with many struggles, Irene provided the basic needs, and a good life for them, with an abundance of love. Irene was employed at Woolco selling fabric and notions, her talent for sewing was discovered and she made the clothes and costumes for the mannequins on display in the fabric dept. until her retirement in 1994. Irene had a strong Christian faith, as a member of the McKillop United Church she was involved with various church groups. A quiet woman of few words, but those she said were often wise, gracious, and often added with a quick wit, a wonderful sense of humor, and her beautiful smile. Irene spent her life serving the Lord. Her actions spoke volumes of her selfless love for others. She was generous, compassionate, and extremely humble, never wanting recognition for her hard work, dedication, and efforts. Her family, relatives, and friends were blessed with her wonderful handmade gifts of sewing, crocheting, ceramics, and baking. Strangers were also blessed by her helping hand at the soup kitchen, food bank, hundreds of handmade blankets she made for Blankets for Canada, and involvement with other charities. The family will honour Irene’s wishes for a private service. ‘Let’s have a cup of tea’ as Irene would always say, and loved to do this with family and friends. Please join the family for tea and a light lunch at the COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH, 2316 – 17 Street, Coaldale on Monday, May 29, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. for a gathering of sharing and visiting. Please continue her legacy by treating everyone you meet with acts of kindness and a beautiful smile that is so contagious. With gratitude thank you to all of you who were a part of Irene’s life. Your love, friendship, time, and care given to Mom is greatly appreciated.

To send condolences, please visit www.generationsfh.ca