Anna Lucille Lawrence

Anna Lucille Lawrence, 97, of Columbia, passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, after a very full and exciting life. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 9, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Martin Stanley Zwolenski and Sophie Smoron Zwolenski.

Mrs. Lawrence was the loving wife to Richard Edward Lawrence; married September 6, 1947, ballroom dancing, jitterbugging and an occasional polka until his untimely death in 1991. Richard, her soulmate, and dancing partner for life, lived across the street and it was love at first sight. She was a devout Catholic and attended St Ignatius of Antioch, Tarpon Springs, FL. After mass, she and Richard would go to Busch Gardens to see the animals and shows. On the weekends, they took trips to the Kennedy Space Center to tour and watch a rocket launch together. She enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing, shelling on the beaches and walking alongside Richard with their footprints in the sand. Now, they are walking together footprints in heaven side by side forever.

Mrs. Lawrence worked in the photography department at F.W. Woolworth Company on Euclid Avenue taking black and white photos, developing them, and colored with pastel chalks for customers. She worked along other "Rosie the Riveter" women at the Cleveland tank plant replacing the male workers who joined the military. She was an usherette at the Lowe's Stillman Theatre on Euclid Avenue, when the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis" premiered. Mrs. Lawrence learned to drive and got her driver’s license in Florida at the age of 66.

Mrs. Lawrence devoted her life to being a mother and homemaker for her daughters. She was strong, independent, and filled with so much love and compassion for others. Mrs. Lawrence was witty and effortlessly brought joy to those around her. She took great pride in being “Gran” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and held a special place in her heart for them. She especially enjoyed the summers filled with picnics, badminton, shell crafts, bingo, trips to the beach, parks and Disneyworld, when they came to visit.

Mrs. Lawrence is fondly remembered for her famous cooking and baking. She could whip up a delicious meal from scratch, made the best BBQ chicken on the grill, and the family favorite pork roast with potato dumplings. She made Christmas time that much more special with her famous butterball and chocolate chip cookies. Mrs. Lawrence had a skilled green thumb and talent for crocheting, in which she created beautiful blankets filled with love for all in the family. Many described Mrs. Lawrence as being a definite firecracker and light in their lives. She was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her daughters, Sandra Ann Lawrence, and Linda Ann Hrapko (Rod); Grandchildren, Rhonda McClelland (Bill), Kevin Koshar (Brandie), Renee Russell (Daniel), and Tiffani Webster; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Siurek (JT), Ally McClelland, Lucas Russell, Connor Russell, Mia Russell, and Samantha Webster; Godson, Dr. Ralph J. Zwolinski; brother, Edward Zwolenski; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by siblings, Anna, whom she was named after, Joseph, Fred, Bernice, Genevieve, Florence, and George.

 Mrs. Lawrence will be laid to rest at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, 1750 Curlew Rd, Palm Harbor, FL 34683.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223.