DeEtta M. Lawrence

DeEtta (Krieder) Lawrence, of Lake City, left us on Sunday, March 24th at 11am at UPMC Hamot. 

DeEtta was born in Erie County on March 21, 1948, the daughter of the late James and DeEtta Smith Krieder.

The day before her passing, over 30 friends, family members and their children celebrated her 76th birthday with food and fun at her residence, which she had kept for nearly 50 years. She glowed her signature smile the whole day, and was very much in her glory, as she loved a full house, and was known to host the best kids sleepovers and make the best pancakes. Known affectionately as Grandma Dee or Aunt Dee or "Just Dee," she loved to knit, sew, garden, dance, travel, swim, picnic with family and friends, and watch the kids play and grow. She worked very hard for various manufacturing sites throughout her life, and after losing her life partner to cancer, volunteered to fundraise for cancer research, even going so far as to take a plunge in a pool of red Jello. She was eternally proud of each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who carry on her grit, bravery, candor, tenderness, compassion, sense of humor and... well, her defiance in the face of adversity and zest for life.

In addition to her parents, Dee was preceded in death by her brother Leslie; her husband Alton Lawrence; her life partner Art Leuschen; and her great-grand daughter Ursa Nunes.

She leaves behind her sisters Marie, Corrine and Marjorie; her brother Calvin; her children Angie Lawrence Devine (Chuck), Glenn Lawrence, Arthur Leuschen (Ashley), and William Leuschen; her grandchildren Rachel Nunes, Elizabeth Morgan, Tobie Lawrence, Tylee Lawrence, Brenna Devine, Charlie Devine, Emily Leuschen, Dietrich Leuschen, and Jemma Leuschen; her great grandchildren Rachel and Annabelle Morgan; as well as half-siblings, Robert Francis, Mary, Thomas and Elsie and many nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to thank the nurses, aides, staff, and doctors at Hamot who have so kindly, gently, and skillfully taken care of her in her final years.

Friends may call at Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East, Girard on Thursday, March 28th from 4:00pm until the time of service at 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, with a note that the donation go toward the Community Garden Program.