Rita R. Lawrence

Albany-Rita R. Lawrence, 94, entered into Eternal Life Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Born in Albany, She was the daughter of the late John and Veronica (Bonislawsky) Harzynski. Rita graduated from St. Casimir’s School and The Vincentian Institute in 1941. She was a member of St. Casimir’s Church from her baptism to its closing in 2004, and was a current member of Mater Christi Parish. She retired in 1978 after 15 years of service with NY State Division of Youth, Office for Local Government and Veterans Affairs. She was the wife of the late Stanley Lawrence; mother of John Lawrence (Joan)-Slingerlands NY, Stephanie McGrath (Stephen)-Bozeman MT and Anthony Lawrence-Albany NY; grandmother of Scott McGrath (Melanie)-Missoula MT and Quinn McGrath (Abby)-Bozeman MT; great-grand mother of Finnegan, Connor and Rion McGrath; sister of the late Jane Gerwin (Ted), the late Rev. John Harzynski and Lt. Anthony F. Harzynski (KIA WWII); aunt of Mary Ann Marmillo (Gerald), Jane R. Gerwin, Christine Tierney (Larry) and the Late Veronica Gerwin; many relatives in-law survive. Rita was a beloved resident, organizer and “judge” of the Teresian House in its Mt. Carmel East Community. She was a gifted wordsmith of short stories set in historical Albany during the great depression. She participated and contributed to the Pyramid Lake Women Writers Conferences. She researched, wrote and illustrated the history of her family as a legacy for the enlightenment of her descendants. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rita’s family Friday, April 27, 2018 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Lasak & Gigliotti Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY. Funeral services Saturday, April 28, 2018 8:15 am from Lasak & Gigliotti Funeral Home, Albany NY thence to the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany at 9:00 am where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal will be held in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Albany NY immediately following the Funeral Mass. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.LGFuneralHome.com Contributions for the memory of Rita Lawrence may be made to the Teresian House Center for the Elderly, 200 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, New York 12203.

Rita R. Lawrence

October 1, 1923 - April 17, 2018