Obituary, Betty Lou Strang Lawlor

Betty Lou Strang Lawlor, 88, a 36-year resident of Wingdale, NY died on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Lawlor was a dietary manager at The Kent Nursing Home in Kent, NY and the Silcox Nursing Home in Newburgh, NY and later worked as a home health coordinator for Putnam Hospital Home Care in Carmel, NY. She and her husband co-owned J & B Gun Shop and was an accomplished markswoman.

Born on June 27, 1934 in Peekskill, NY, she was the daughter of the late Clark Nelson Strang and Kathleen Grace Archer Strang. Mrs. Lawlor was an accomplished high school athlete at Yorktown High School in Yorktown Heights, NY and was 1st Majorette and a Homecoming Queen. She was a graduate of Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie and earned an Associate’s degree in Nutrition. On March 4, 1951 at the Assumption Church in Peekskill, NY, she married Deacon James P. Lawlor who died on December 9, 2017. Mrs. Lawlor was active in the community and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother.

Mrs. Lawlor was a devoted member and servant of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Dover Plains where she served as Diakonissa and her husband served as Deacon for 17 years. She also served at St. Charles Borromeo as a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, a former president of the Altar Rosary Society and was active in the Breath of Life Prayer Group and in hymn sings with the Common Ground Interdenominational Choir. Mrs. Lawlor was a member of the St. Martin de Porres Church Group in Poughkeepsie, NY. She was a member of the Town of Patterson, NY Conservative Party Committee.

Mrs. Lawlor is survived by eleven children: James F. Lawlor, Jr. and his wife, JoAnn, of Brewster, NY; Kelly Morehouse and her husband, Alan, of Middletown, NY; John Lawlor and his wife, Bobi, of Paupack, PA; Sharon Diaz and her husband, Fernando, of Wappingers Falls, NY; Billy Lawlor and his wife, JoAnn, of Honesdale, PA; Mike Lawlor and his wife, Jackie, of Stormville, NY; Mary Bowen and her husband, Tom, of Wassaic, NY; Betty Rivadeneira and her husband, Carlos, of Brewster, NY; Patty Donovan and her husband, Scott, of Wingdale, NY; Kathy Sutter and her husband, Jim, of Defuniak Springs, FL and Tammy Davidyock and her husband, Peter, of Murrells Inlet, SC. She was also the loving grandmother to 31 grandchildren: Amy Hosmer; James Lawlor, III; Heather Pollicino; Robert Morehouse; Kimberly Stoll; Jamie Merriweather; Christine Pepe; Michael, David, Joseph and Matthew Neceda; Lisa Stonaha; Joshua and Nicholas Lawlor; Christopher Lawlor, Sara Harvel and Rachel Lawlor; Emily Forrester: Rebecca, Joel, Katherine and Luke Smith; Alicia Segalini; Carlos and Raquel Rivadeneira; Jessica Wright; Scott, Jr. and Ryan Donovan; Samantha Cooper; Casey and Zach Locey and 53 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. She is also survived by a brother, Lloyd Strang of Macedon, NY.

Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a grandson, Timothy Lawlor and five brothers: Richard, James, Clark, Robert and William Strang.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, at Hufcut Funeral Home, 3159 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 62 Mill St., Dover Plains, NY. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Dover Plains. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at https://www.stjude.org/contact-us.html.

Author: Harlem Valley News