Elizabeth Louise Lawrence

Elizabeth Louise Lawrence, 60, beloved daughter, wife and mother, was born July 20, 1953, to Edward and Marion Grunow in San Francisco, Calif.

Elizabeth graduated from East Union High School in 1972. She earned and was awarded the John Philip Sousa award for achievement in band. She attended Delta Junior College, earning an associate’s degree. Later she attended Stainisclous State University in Turlock, Calif., and in 1980 earned a bachelor’s in music, majoring in wind instruments.

In 1978, she married David Thompson. They had two children, Brian David Thompson and Melissa Louise Thompson. They divorced in 1993. Elizabeth played in the Tracy Community Band and Swing Band for many years. She visited Alaska by cruise ship in 2003 and fell in love with the beauty and culture.

A well-studied appliance specialist, she moved to Alaska and helped open Home Depot’s second store.

Elizabeth married Ray Lawrence, her “Ray of Light,” on June 21, 2006. On July 21, 2008, one day after her birthday her only grandchild Chance was born. “Little Man” was a bundle of joy, a “God-sent blessing!” In May 2011, she was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt’s Lymphoma cancer. The battle began. Chemo treatment ended in December 2011. Remission of cancer for two years was her blessing. Her immune system had been compromised, causing several stays in the hospital. On Jan. 22, 2014, God called her home due to complications of pneumonia and other related respiratory illnesses.

She was preceded in death by her father, two brothers and aunts, Louise, Doris and Mathilda.

While battling through her illness, she received CERTS training and became a Master Gardner.

We will love and miss you more than words can express. We declare to see you and walk through the portals of heaven with you in the future. Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”

Elizabeth’s last request was not for herself, but for others. Monetary donations in Elizabeth’s name may be made to Mat-Su Food Bank, MYHouse teen services or Food for Kids.

Funeral services are at 1 p.m., Jan. 31 at the Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 1221 N. Church Rd., Wasilla. A viewing is at noon until service time at the church.

Valley Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.