Marilyn J. Lawrence

Marilyn (Thomas) Lawrence, 89, of Manheim, formerly of Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown surrounded by her family. Born in Ecorse, MI, she was the daughter of the late Hubert and Anna (Bruce) Thomas. She was a 1955 graduate of Southwestern High School, Detroit, MI. Marilyn was the loving wife of the late James R. Lawrence. They celebrated 58 years of marriage until Jim's passing in 2015. Throughout her life she was known for her strength of character, sense of humor, loyalty and values. All traits she instilled in her children. She worked in the pharmaceutical field for 17 years and after 15 years of service at Pleasant View she retired from the activities department.

Marilyn and Jim were very involved in their home churches in Taylor, MI, as well as in Manheim, PA. Giving back to her community through volunteerism was very important to her. Marilyn also enjoyed decorating wedding cakes for family and friends, making chocolates with her children, and baking Christmas cookies with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She was very active in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s lives.

Surviving is a son, Michael husband of Lisa Lawrence, of Lancaster, two daughters, Pam Smith wife of Brian Smith of Manheim, Judy wife of Clyde Bitner of Mount Joy and a daughter-in-law Dawn Lawrence of Oxford, MI, eleven grandchildren: Andrew (Coleen), Michael (Lauren) Lawrence, David and Becca Radcliff, Samantha Truda (Jason), Amanda Smith (Chris Hiatt), Ryan (Emily Fitzgerald) Lawrence, Jenna Lawrence, Randi Beamenderfer (Andrew), and Bailey Boyd and a step grandson Trevor Bradford (Cheyenne), nine great grandchildren: Ryan, Eleanor, Natalie Lawrence, Neil Radcliff, Cameron and Kennedy Truda, Isaiah Edmoundson, Jocelyn and Emmorie Beamenderfer, a brother-in-law, Robert Lawrence and a sister-in-law, Judy Lawrence. She was preceded in death by a son, James Lawrence, a daughter, Dawn Radcliff Kreider, and her siblings: Harold, Dolores, David and Andrew Thomas.

The family would like to thank Masonic Village and Hospice Care for their loving care and compassion through this journey.

The family will plan a Celebration of Life for Marilyn in the coming months and will communicate at a later date.