FRANKLIN: Valerie "Jo-an" Lawrence

Reposted from Worcester Telegram: (FHS Class of 1950)

Valerie "Jo-an" Lawrence, age 92, of Worcester, died
Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Knollwood Nursing Center.

Jo-an is survived by her niece, Michele A. Colby and her husband
Richard Colby of Worcester, a nephew, Michael J. Clements and his
wife Diane Clements of North Grafton; grandniece, Nicole Longton,
three grandnephews, Richard Colby, Michael and John Clements, and her
godchildren, Olivia Grace Colby and Alyssa Summer Michele Longton.

Her sister, Angela M. (Salerno) Clements, died in 2005.

Jo-an was born in Worcester, daughter of Charles F. Lawrence, Jr. who
died in 1965 and Florence (Houle) Lawrence Hart, who died in 1994.
She lived in Franklin for many years before returning to Worcester in
1962.

She graduated from Franklin High School in 1950.

She was a computer operator for the Mass. Highway Department before
retiring in 1997.

Jo-an was a member of the Retired State, County and Municipal
Employees Association of Mass., the American Legion Post 201, “Our
Lady of Sorrows” at Mt. Carmel Church, and was a Passionist Witness
at Calvary Retreat Center, Shrewsbury. She was also a member of Our
Lady of the Rosary Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and a
choir member. She was a volunteer for the Easter Seals and Assumption
College. She also packaged rosary beads for St. Christopher Church
and belonged to their Retired Club.

Jo-an enjoyed spending time with her family and with her four cats,
who kept her busy.

The funeral Mass will be Wednesday, February 12, at 10 a.m. at Our
Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., Worcester. Burial will be at
St. Mary’s Cemetery, Franklin. Friends may visit in the church on
Wednesday from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Rosary
Church, 23 Fales St., Worcester, MA 01606 or the MSPCA, 350 S.
Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.

Posted online on February 10, 2025

Published in Worcester Telegram & Gazette