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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Barbara Virginia (Payne) Lawlor

Barbara Lawlor, age 90, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Sunrise of Westtown.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of George William Payne and Virginia (Moore) Payne.  She graduated from Yeadon High School in 1945, and got a degree in business from Drexel University in 1949.  In tenth grade she met her lifetime sweetheart, Tom.  They got married in April, 1950, and stayed very happily married for almost 68 years.  They shared their love of travel, camping and history with their 7 children.  Barbara enjoyed family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, and many types of music and plays at the Playhouse and the Grand Opera House. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, and traveled all through the United States and over 53 foreign countries.

She was pre-deceased by only her parents. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Thomas B. Lawlor, of Wilmington, and 7 children, Kathy Simpson (Dave) of Newark, DE, Thomas B. Jr. (Tim) (June) of Roanoke, VA, Anne McKenica (John), of Plantation, FL, Dan (Patti) of Houston, TX, Mark (Mary Lou) of Wilmington, DE, Nora Copes of St. David, PA, and Bill of Wilmington, DE.  She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, a brother, Bill Payne (Ilse), of Lewes, DE, a brother in law, Lyn (Bob) Lawlor of Basking Ridge, NJ, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family would like to thank Sunrise of Westtown and Willow Tree Hospice for the compassionate care given in the last few months.

Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, March 1, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 2 at 11 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington.  Burial will be held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Opera House, or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

 

Funeral Services

Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, March 1, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 2 at 11 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington.  Burial will be held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Opera House, or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

 

Condolences

    Dee and Ken Roy lit a candle and writes,
    Our heartfelt condolences to the family.May you find comfort in all the good memories of Barbara and the wonderful long life she lived.
    02/24/2018 12:57 pm
    Sue Peavy Baird writes,
    Thinking of you all and hoping that your great memories of your Mom's life well-lived give you comfort. xoxo PV
    02/27/2018 12:06 pm
    David Donovan writes,
    Your Mom and I shared many conversations when I was younger. Truly, a great woman.
    03/01/2018 02:39 pm
    Gayle Frick lit a candle and writes,
    My thoughts and prayers are with Nora and everyone else in the family. I remember how kind and thoughtful Mrs. Lawlor was. She lovingly sent a baby dress to me when my daughter was born. She was a lovely lady.
    03/01/2018 06:37 pm
    Dave Mount writes,
    Dearest Dan, Kathy, Tim, Anne, Mark, Nora and Billy, My sincere condolences to all of you and the entire Lawlor family on the loss of Barbara. I will never forget the open arms with which she met and welcomed me and a girlfriend to your already-crowded house at Christmas in 1976. She made me feel like a family member, not "just" Dan's roommate at UDel and an acquaintance of Kathy, Tim, and Mark. I know this has been, is, and will be tough for all of you and especially for Tom. He may be grieving in the sense of deep loss of his life partner, but remind him to reflect upon, and take solace in, the huge loving family he has around him as the legacy of their lives spent together. Your love will help his transition in the coming time and he will need the "familiarity of you" to facilitate that. Remind him that he isn't alone; Barbara is in all of you. I wish I could have been there on Saturday to share in person your grief, but I sincerely hope the joy of remembering her was the greater sentiment both that day and onward. May her generous spirit and caring soul be an example for all of us in our lives. Dave
    03/05/2018 12:37 pm

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