WESTFIELD – Eleanor Rae Lawrence, 69, passed on peacefully Nov. 24, 2005, surrounded by her loving brothers and sisters at a Presque Isle healthcare facility. She was born Nov. 29, 1935, at the Lawrence homestead in Westfield, the daughter of Murray Sr. and Alice (Hallet) Lawrence. Eleanor grew up on the farm with 11 siblings, her parents and at times aunts and uncles. She cared for one and all throughout her life. “Em” attended District No. 2 Elementary School which was a one-room school containing all the eight grades. Then she graduated from the Aroostook Central Institute in Mars Hill excelling in Home Economics which proved to be a benefit for her life’s work of watching over all who lived at the family homestead. “Em” was the welcoming hostess for all who entered therein with her fine cooking and conversation while still caring for members of the family. Throughout her 70 years she was also participating in the farm activities working along side her father and brothers and sisters in the field, planting seed potatoes, pulling weeds and picking potatoes. She would paint the buildings and cut the wood for warmth by the stove during the cold winter days. After her mothers passing she continued to care for her father and brothers, Richard and Ralph. She was the caretaker of a special sister, Irene. Eleanor visited area nursing homes, taking gifts and cards to the residents. Many neighbors benefited from her visits to their yard sales. She loved taking rides throughout Maine especially Aroostook and along the way getting a coffee milkshake. Eleanor was dedicated to serving others. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by sisters, Janet Margaret and Irene Joyce; brothers, William Franklin and Raymond Ward. Eleanor is survived by sisters, Christine Sawyer of Gorham, Annabelle Bridges of Windham, Marilyn Long and her husband, Charles, of Bangor; brothers, Ralph, Maynard and friend, Deborah Mason and Murray Ward Lawrence Jr., all of Westfield; a brother, Richard and friend, Michelle Page, of Presque Isle and Westfield; an aunt, Nita Flannery of Westfield; and special aunt, Annie Lawrence of Presque Isle are left to mourn her passing. Many cousins, nieces and nephews will miss the cookies, candy and birthday cakes she saved for their visits. “Em” will be missed by family and all those lives she touched such as her special friends Sylvia Knox and Theresa Clark. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Duncan Funeral Home, 8 Main St., Mars Hill, with Pastor Larry Palmer officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. A spring interment will take place at Marshall Cemetery, Westfield.
ELEANOR RAE LAWRENCE
