Obituary of Elaine J. Lawrason

Elaine Jean Lawrason, daughter of Truman H. Wilson and Emmy J. Schulze passed away peacefully in her home on March 21, 2021, a beautiful early Spring day with birds chirping just outside her window. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota alongside her older brother George, Elaine graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Minnesota. She majored in Art History and studied Studio Art at the School of Architecture and the Minneapolis School of Art. At the age of 15, Elaine attended a wedding and met the man she was to marry. The marriage between Elaine and Frederick Douglas Lawrason took place on a cold wintery day on March 18, 1944. Following their marriage, the couple moved from St. Paul to New Haven, CT where Doug did his residency at the Yale School of Medicine, and Elaine worked as Assistant Librarian at the School of Architecture, Yale University. This was the first of many moves that took the couple and their three children Peter, Jock and Susan to many destinations throughout the country. Silver Spring, MD; Chapel Hill, NC; Little Rock, AR; Blue Bell, PA; Haverford, PA; Dallas, TX and Morristown, NJ were places the family called home. Elaine loved being a mother and her children were her joy and primary focus. Summers were spent at Elaine’s parent’s home in Atherton, CA offering forever-lasting memories of picnics on the sand dunes by the ocean in Santa Cruz as well as deep in the forests of the giant Redwoods. Later in life, Summer homes were enjoyed in Yarmouth, Maine and Osterville, MA. A prolific painter throughout her life, Elaine studied oil, watercolor and pastel. Classical music was also a passion with piano lessons begun at an early age and continued well into her 80’s. Beethoven was a favorite and she practiced daily. Elaine loved to travel. Her father Truman initiated this love, and it was enriched through many trips to Europe, Norway and Sweden, Russia, and Japan. Elaine loved her yellow lab Lucy and became a devoted Yankee fan; she knew every player on the team. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Morristown, NJ held a particular importance in her heart; grateful how it enriched her life with friendships and faith. Elaine was a most happy and a most positive person. Her elegance and grace and love of life shone bright with every age, and she was an inspiration for all who knew her. She is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.