WILMINGTON — Beatrice M. Lawrence, 95, of ROUTE 86 Wilmington N.Y. passed away at her daughter's home in Lake Placid on Oct. 5, 2012, surrounded by her loving family. Beatrice was born on March 6, 1917, in Wilmington N.Y. the daughter of Guy H. and Mary A. (Pelkey) Stephenson.
Bea enjoyed her family and friends, vacations with them and feeding and watching her birds especially the cardinals. Bea worked many years at the Owaissa club beach house, worked with the youth of Wilmington. She was fondly called ''Aunt Bea'' by all. She also worked at the Whiteface Mountain House and Whiteface Memorial Highway at the castle as a waitress. She was a fire phone operator for the Wilmington fire department and raised the flag at the Town Hall. Bea graduated from the Au Sable Forks High School where she was a member of the glee club and band. Bea was member of the first Girl Scout Troop in Wilmington and fondly told stories of camping and hiking at camp Tapawingo in Plattsburgh. Bea was a member of the Reuban Sanford Post #1775 of the American Legion and of Whiteface Community Church in Wilmington. Bea will be missed for her famous baked apple and pumpkin pies which she made for many parties and occasions.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-laws and two daughters and one son-in-law, Adrian and his wife Andrea Lawrence, Allan and his wife Judith Lawrence of Wilmington and Richard Lawrence of Upper Jay. Cheryl Strack of Lake Placid, Brenda and James Balsley of Milton Fla., 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Bea was married to Adrian E. Lawrence who preceded her and her parents; and brothers, Lawrence, William and Henry Guy Stephenson; sisters, Mary, Margaret and infant, Lucy Ann.
Calling hours will be at 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 10, at the Whiteface Community Methodist Church. A Funeral Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will follow in Haselton Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Whiteface Range Hall in Wilmington.
Memorials may be made to High Peaks Hospice, PO Box 840, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983. The family would like to thank Hospice for all the loving care given to Bea and her family. The Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is taken care arrangements.
