Mary Lauretta Lawson

Mary Lauretta Lawson, age 89, a lifetime resident of Colville, WA passed away on July 22, 2022, at her home surrounded by family.  Mary was born on Sept. 21, 1932 at Martin's Maternity Home in Colville, the daughter of Amour Nelson and Julia Anna Wilhelmina (Duebel) Slentz.

She was raised on the family farm on Old Dominion Mountain and attended grade school at the Washington Mill School House.  Mary then attended both Jr. High and High School in Colville.  She graduated in 1950 and began working for a time at R.E. Lee Hardware and Grocery and then the Guarantee State Bank where she was the secretary for E.S. Moore.  While working at the bank, she met the young man who owned the shoe repair store across the street.  His name was Victor Lawson and soon they exchanged wedding vows on Dec. 29, 1950.  Mary and Vic began a family, and Mary worked in the home raising the kids while assisting on their ranch.  Once her kids were all in school, she accepted a job opportunity to work as a cook for the Colville School District hot lunch program.  It only took a few years before she was supervising the lunch program and cooking all of the meals from scratch.  She ran the program with some of her closest friends until her retirement in 1982.  Mary was one of the original assisted living providers, opening her home and heart to aging family members and friends who required additional care prior to nursing home residency.  She did this for years while also taking loving care of her son, Vic Jr. at her home.  Mary loved to travel, retracing family lines through genealogy and visiting family and friends.

Mary's favorite activity was cooking for a house full of family and friends.  Her meat and potatoes style cooking always included a dash of love which made each meal perfect.  Mary enjoyed gardening and canning, and her lemon meringue pies were homemade right down to the lemon tree she grew in her front room.  The venison cooked in her Dutch Oven was a favorite in family meals, often from her own harvest from that year's hunt.  Watching the birds, the farm animals and wildlife on the property gave her moments of respite when rare life pauses arrived.  She was game for most any adventure, always responding to invitations with, "Just let me get my purse!"  She offered a lifetime of kindness, generosity and loved her family passionately.  Mary lived in the moment and offered her undistracted attention for care and advise.  New little-one's, no matter animal or human, gave her reason to smile and she was the reason for immeasurable joy in the lives of those around her.

Her love of quilting, crocheting and sewing gave warmth and cover to so many in need. Mary was also an active member and community supporter through the Washington Mill Home-Ec. Club.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Victor Lawson Sr. in 2016; a son, Terry Lawson in 2019 and a grandson, Heath Lawson in 2014.

"Granny" is survived by four children, Larry Lawson (Becky), Vickie Hedrick (Dale), Roger Lawson (Kerry), Vic Lawson Jr., and daughter-in-law Kelly Lawson, all of Colville WA,  7 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild and a host of extended family and friends.

Services for Mary Lauretta Lawson will begin with visitation 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, July 26 ^th through the 29 ^th at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville.  Cremation will follow the visitation times with a memorial service beginning at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 at the Grace Evangelical Free Church.  Rev. Dr. Tim Goble will officiate.  Mary will be laid to rest with her husband at the Mountain View Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Shriner's Hospital.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com .  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.