Mrs. Sharon Marie Lawrence

Sharon Marie Lawrence
December 26, 1940 – November 7, 2011
Oxnard, California
Always a graceful woman, a devout Catholic, and her family's pillar of strength, Sharon Marie Lawrence ascended into Heaven on November 7, 2011, after a courageous and valiant four-year battle with cancer.
Sharon was born into the loving arms of her parents, Lloyd and Agnes Anderson, on December 26, 1940, in Monticello, Minnesota. When Sharon was three years old, her father, proudly serving the United States Navy in Port Hueneme, California, fell in love with southern California, and asked his wife, Agnes, to bring his family to Carpinteria, California. Soon after hearing this request, Agnes boarded a train with her five young children and their trek to California began. After a tumultuous week in transit, the Anderson family arrived in Carpinteria.
Sharon, always a shy and quiet girl, attended school in Carpinteria. Upon entering Kindergarten, she met her soul mate and future husband, Larry Gene Lawrence. Larry and Sharon began dating in high school and received their diplomas together as members of Carpinteria High School's graduating class of 1958. The happy couple was married on October 1, 1961. While living in Santa Barbara, California, Sharon realized the greatest joy of her life on September 14, 1962, when her first child, Timothy Paul, was born.
Shortly thereafter, Larry and Sharon moved to Oxnard, California, when Larry was hired by the Oxnard Police Department. Sharon was very proud of being an Oxnard resident. She was very passionate about her city and had no desire to be anywhere else.
While living in Oxnard, the Lawrence family grew with the births of two more sons, Thomas and Ted. Sharon was the quintessential Mother and she was at her best while being a full-time Mom. Sharon was selfless and dedicated 100% of her time, energy, and effort to her three sons. Sharon found great joy in making a different breakfast each day, washing sports uniforms, checking homework, and all of the tasks associated with raising three boys. When commenting on her own life, Sharon would often say, "My boys are my life." And that was 100% true. Her true calling in life was being a Mom and she mastered the art of motherhood. Nothing made her happier. Her boys were the focus of her energy, passion, and intensity. Whether it was Santa Clara High School, Rio Mesa High School, Cal State Northridge, West Point, UCSB, or Ventura College, Sharon never missed a sporting event or school function involving her sons. She was always her boys' number one fan in good times and in bad times, whether it was 8th grade basketball or college football. Her greatest joy was witnessing all three of her sons graduate from college and earn Master's Degrees. Sharon was humble, and never sought praise or credit, but she was truly the heart and soul of her family. She let her actions be the guide for others to follow, and her children will now strive to honor her and make her proud for the rest of their lives.
When her sons grew older, Sharon moved on to the next phase of her life, working for the County of Ventura. She served as a hard-working, conscientious, and diligent employee for the District Attorney's Office for 2o years. She loved that job, but eventually retired to enjoy life with her loving husband.
After mastering the art of being a Mother, Sharon continued her nurturing ways and became the perfect grandmother to Timothy, Courtney, Luciano, and Paloma. She loved her grandchildren dearly and passed on many values and life lessons that they will remember forever. Her youngest grandchild, three-year-old Paloma, held a special place in Grandma Sharon's heart. Despite battling cancer throughout Paloma's entire life, Grandma would pick up her beloved granddaughter from school once a week and the two spent countless hours together. They were truly a match made in heaven.
Anyone who knew Sharon was also critically aware of her proclivity for baking. When it came to chocolate desserts, Christmas candy, or lemon bars, she was unrivaled. Her creations were epic and could not be duplicated.
On October 1, 2011, Sharon was able to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband. Larry will tell anyone that Sharon was his rock and his source of strength. She was also a dedicated, loving, kind, supportive, and compassionate sister and daughter. She had a knack for putting her personal interests behind and making sacrifices in the best interest of family harmony. Sharon was truly the personification of humility. Nothing was ever about her. Her joy was witnessing the happiness of others.
Sharon is predeceased by her Mother, Agnes Anderson; her Father, Lloyd Anderson; and her brother, Loren Andersen.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Larry; sons, Timothy (Cheryl), Thomas, and Ted (Rosario); grandchildren, Timothy Jr., Courtney, Luciano, and Paloma; brother, Lesley Anderson; and sisters, Diana Maxwell and Marlene Cathcart.
The Lawrence family would like thank all of the good people at Assisted Home Hospice for the excellent care they provided Sharon in her final weeks, especially Nurse Maggie Penny.
Sharon has been entrusted to the care of Santa Clara Mortuary in Oxnard. At Sharon's request, the family will hold a private Mass of Christian Burial.
The family will miss the best wife, mother, and grandmother we could have ever asked for, but we know she is now enjoying her heavenly crown.