Patricia C Lawrence Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

PATRICIA CAROL LAWRENCE was the only child of the union of the late Victoria Roberts and the late John Lawrence. She was born on December23, 1943, in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, and was fondly known as Patsy. After migrating to the United States in 1983, she became known as Pat to her new friends and coworkers. At the age of 10 years, Patsy’s beloved mother, Victoria, died. She moved to live with her aunt and uncle Laurel and James Edwards, in Vance River, Guapo. The move to that village would not be the only change. Once in Vance River, Patsy’s nine cousins became her sisters and brothers. Her father also gave her two brothers and two sisters. Patsy migrated to the U.S. in the eighties, leaving her entire family behind with the promise to work, “ﬁle for” them, return and relocate. She was eventually able to be sponsored by the Miller family and became a permanent resident. Patsy was forever grateful to Alan and Christine Miller for their kindness toward her. Patsy and The Millers became family as they gave much credit to Patsy for shaping their two boys’ lives and Patsy credited them with determining her children’s future. Their generosity enabled Patsy to “send for” her six children who were still living in Trinidad. The immigration process took about ﬁve years, but Patsy was determined to reunite with her family because her children were her everything. Never one to complain despite her numerous life’s adversities, Patsy was laser focused on her involvement with and commitment to her children; they were her life. This was reﬂected in the countless sacriﬁces she made to create opportunities and a much better life for them including, but not limited to: the initial separation from her children, missing important events and milestones, the hard work, low pay, and discrimination she endured to create a life of possibilities for her family in a new country. She was always involved in every aspect of their lives and their successes ﬁlled her with joy and pride. Patsy last worked at and retired from Maryland General Hospital where she was a nursing assistant. She held similar positions at other healthcare institutions. She was able to do all of this because she returned to school to learn the ﬁeld. Prior to her arrival in the U.S., she only had the opportunity to attain a primary school education as her family decided she should attend a course to become a seamstress. Patsy’s training enabled her to become a creator of dreams for her family and those in the village. She became a go-to seamstress known for her exquisite creations such as wedding gowns, clothes for her children and family, curtains, bedspreads, pillowcases, school uniforms, bags, chair cushion covers, and other items. Each self-created pattern that she brought to life served as an example of what can be created from pieces - be they pieces of cloth or other materials she used to craft from her vibrant imagination. Her children also beneﬁted from her sewing skills as she taught them to sew, hem and darn. The sewing machine was an extension of Patsy. Her trusted Singer, no less, and bolts of material, threads, bobbins, thimbles, pins, scissors, chalk, and the accouterments of the craft surrounded her. There is so much that we could share about what Patsy meant and will continue to mean in our lives and our hearts. Close your eyes and let the smell of her homemade bread envelop you, and the taste of her homemade coconut ice cream cool your palate. She was an excellent cook. She would give you anything that you needed, and she gave it with love. You NEVER left her house empty-handed. Patsy made friends everywhere she went and knew what it took to maintain her friendships. Her fashions and her fashion sense were always on point especially since she sewed so much of her clothes. She was independent and driven - earning her driver’s license at the age of 57 - she was, in one word, determined. The well of her endurance was her relationship with the Divine. A relationship she shared with her children though church, Sunday School, and the Bible. Patsy was simply steeped in a spiritual knowing that there is one greater than herself. We will miss her friendliness, unrelenting spirit, unbridled determination, joviality, laughter, strength, talkativeness, and love. Patsy leaves to cherish her memory her children, Elford Lawrence, Marlon Lawrence, Yvette Lawrence-Hood, Rhonda Lawrence, Veryne Lawrence and stepson, Keith George. She was preceded by her son, Linton Lawrence and her husband, Urias Mark. Also, she will be missed by four sisters, Constance Francois, Anne Marie Edwards, Shurmin Thomas and Joanne Simon; ﬁve brothers, Prince Edwards, Alfred Edwards, Wilfred Edwards, Anthony Edwards and Denzil Edwards; two sons-in-law, Haydn Hood and Leon Nicholson; sixteen grandchildren, Sommer, Lemoy, Atiya, Ykendi, Ja’nai, Nicholas, Jaida, Jaden, Nyah, Janae, Noah, Taylor, Norah, Niam, Jeremiah and Samora; four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Vivian, Rehnia and Nhala; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Patricia C Lawrence

December 23, 1943 - May 27, 2022