Maria B. Lawrence

Maria B. Lawrence, 90, of Brattleboro passed away peacefully of pancreatic cancer surrounded by her loving daughters in her home in Brattleboro. She was born in Harrisville, NH on September 27, 1929 to the late Burton and Mabel (Vance) Bailey.

She graduated from Groton High School as valedictorian Class of 1940. She was a farmer's wife and helped manage Bordertown Farm, presently Vermont Agricultural Business Center with her husband Milford.

Maria enjoyed tending to her garden and flower beds, baking, freezing and canning items. She loved spending her summers picking blueberries with her daughter Linda, and was always excited to hear her grandchildren share their hunting stories as well as assisting in processing the meat. She took pride in her home and kept it immaculate. Her favorite past times included watching farm activities and wildlife overlooking the farm field, listening to country music, and took special interest in Friday night Fish Fries and loved Easter egg hunts and confiscating Madison's eggs. She especially loved "Smokin' Thurber pulled pork," Mindy's carrot cake, and daily visits from her granddog "Holly."

Maria was able to live long enough to watch her grandson Jim get married and was able to dance for the first time with him at their wedding. She was very proud of her grandchildren; Spencer for receiving his bachelor's degree, and Taylor who just became a homeowner. She always turned to Jim for any mechanical repairs and his expertise.

Maria was known for giving the best hugs, which will be sincerely missed.

She was predeceased by her husband Milford B. Lawrence on July 27, 2001, brothers-in-law's Stuart Lawrence and Earl Saucier, and sister-in-law Esther Saucier.

She is survived by her daughters Joyce Rathbun and her husband Michael and Linda Thurber; grandchildren Taylor and Spencer Thurber, Jim Ethier and his wife Emily, Chris Rathbun and his wife Donna, Jennifer Clark and her husband Tim, Karey Thurber, Megan Thurber, and Melissa Guyette; nephew Leon Saucier and his wife Linda; nieces Betty Brooks and her partner Gordie and JoAnn Theriault and her partner Gene; great granddaughter Madison Severance; sister-in-law June Lawrence; special family member Mike Norcia; and other distant great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium located at 57 High St Brattleboro, on Wednesday July 8th from 6-8 pm. A cemetery committal service will be held on July 9th at 11 am at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane, VT. A reception will follow burial at the Vermont Agriculture Business Center, 8 University Way, Brattleboro, VT in the Maria Lawrence Conference Room.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children hospital, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104 or Community Bible Chapel, 107 Atwood St, Brattleboro, VT 05301.

For more information or to view her full obituary and on-line memorial, go to www.phaneuf.net. Please note current restrictions limiting funeral home capacity to no more than 75%. Those in attendance are respectfully requested to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.