Christine J. Lawrence
Christine June (Miller) Lawrence, known affectionately to friends and family as Chris, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2024, at the age of 88 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Born on June 1, 1935, in Lansing, Michigan, Chris lived a full and vibrant life marked by her devotion to her family, and her passion for the arts and travel.
Chris attended Michigan State University where she met her future husband, Richard Lawrence, in social dance class. They were married in 1955 and have shared a lifetime of love and cherished memories. She was a nurturing mother to her son Stephen (Martha), and to her daughter Lisa (James) Andersen. Chris found joy in the company of her grandchildren, Kenneth (Katelyn) Lawrence, Ethan (Robyn) Lawrence, Kathryn (Anthony) Perrera, Charles (Kathi) Lawrence, and Rebecca Andersen. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Ava Perrera. She was predeceased by her sister Dorothy (Erv) Draheim and brother Phillip Miller. She is survived by sister-in-law Glenna Miller. Chris’s legacy of love continues to live on through Richard and her extensive family.
Richard and Chris moved to Maryland in 1965 for Richard’s teaching position at the University of Maryland. The family attended Maryland football and basketball games and Chris remained a TERPS fan for the rest of her life. Along with their love of athletics at UM, they also loved the music department and went to many concerts on campus.
Chris loved gardening, growing fruits and vegetables that she would can or freeze so it could be enjoyed during the winter. She was an accomplished pianist and also enjoy singing in the church choir. Her love for the arts extended to the theater and concert halls where she enjoyed attending performances.
She was also incredibly skilled with her hands. She spent any free time knitting, sewing, and crocheting, each stitch a symbol of her love. Traveling was another of Chris’s joys, as she relished the opportunity to explore new places with family or friends.
As we say farewell to Christine, we celebrate the remarkable life she led and the countless ways she touched our hearts. She loved her family and cherished anytime spent with them. A service will be held to honor Chris’s life and legacy. Her family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit will continue to guide them, just as her memories will forever remain a source of joy and solace in their lives.
The family request in lieu of flowers, please make donations in Christine’s name to Alzheimer’s Association, or Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
The funeral service will be held at a funeral home in Maryland. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, at North Cemetery in Lansing.
