Nancy Lawrence

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nancy Lawrence, a cherished wife, devoted mother, and beloved friend, who peacefully departed this life on May 6, 2026, at the age of 84. Although we mourn the loss of Nancy here on earth with us, we rest in the peace of knowing that she is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior. Born on March 30, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, Nancy was a beacon of love and warmth to all who knew her.

Nancy dedicated a significant part of her life to her profession in accounting. She served with distinction as an administrative assistant at Case Western Reserve University, supporting medical students in their noble pursuit of knowledge and healing. Her meticulous nature and organizational skills made her an invaluable asset to the university. From 1993 to 2012 she worked at Third Federal Savings and Loan where she served as an equally dedicated professional and eventually retired from there.

Beyond her professional life, Nancy was a passionate advocate for nature and an avid lover of birds, often taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around her and saw God and his creation in all things. She also loved to go shopping and looking for antiques. She embraced a spirit of generosity and kindness, lovingly referring to herself as the “mother hen” to her family and friends alike. Nancy’s travels included many beautiful places, where she created lasting memories with her loved ones. She enjoyed camping, and between 1980 and 1988 had a permanent campsite In Thompson where we spent the whole summer camping. Also between 2012 and 2021 she had a campsite in Medina. She loved to buy lots of plants and decorate her site where she camped directly across from her grandchildren’s campsite so she could spend as much time with them as possible. Her faith in the Lord was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and infusing her days with purpose.
John 1:12-13 NASB 1995 [12]But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Richard Lawrence; her daughters, Lisa Lawrence, Christina (Jon) Abrams and her son, Richard (Laurel) Lawrence, II; grandchildren, Jonathon, Anthony, GraceAnn, Nathan and Ethan; as well as her sisters-in-law, Joyce Sanders and Linda Graef. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and a deep commitment to family that will be forever remembered. Nancy was preceded in death by: her parents, Russell and Evelyn Graef; brother, Russell Graef; and brother-in-law, David Lawrence

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during visitation, which will be held at Behm Family Funeral Home in Madison on May 14, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service in her honor will be conducted at Grace Church of Mentor on May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

In this time of sorrow, we find solace in the cherished memories we hold close to our hearts, and we celebrate the beautiful life of Nancy Lou Lawrence—a woman who touched countless lives with her warmth and love. May she rest in eternal peace.