Elaine Lawrence Heinrich

Elaine Lawrence Heinrich Jun. 7, 1923 - Oct. 28, 2014 NORWICH - Elaine Lawrence Heinrich quietly and peacefully passed away to be with our Heavenly Father on October 28, 2014. She was born on June 7, 1923 in Norwich to the former Herbert E. Lawrence and Mariam P. Lawrence. she is predeceased by her husband Chester E. Heinrich and brother Arthur "Bud" Lawrence. Elaine graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in the class of 1941 and attended Willimantic State Teacher's College (now Eastern Connecticut State University) in Willimantic. Her first work experience was with the Western Union. Over the course of a few years she worked in Middletown, Willimantic, New York City and Washington, D.C. as a teletype operator. She worked in the Bozrah Post Office from 1960 to 1987 as a full-time clerk and then serving as Postmaster from 1973 - 1987. She belonged to the National Association of Postmasters of the U.S. Elaine loved her job, especially serving the customers. After retirement, she often stated that she missed all her former customers, the wonderful people in town. She was definitely a people-person. She was a former member of the AARP # 3636 and former member of the Senior Citizens. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Norwichtown for many years and served as Sunday School Superintendent for a while. Later she became a member of the United Congregational Church in Norwich and worked as church secretary for about four years. She was also a past Deacon member and financial secretary for the church. Elaine was a 69-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a very active member at the local chapter. Sachem chapter #57. Within the order she served as Worthy Matron of Sachem chapter from 1963 - 1964 and held many other offices. She was a member of the Past Matrons Association of Sachem chapter. Later, she became Worthy Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star in Connecticut from 1970 - 1971. She was a General Grand Chapter Officer (Grand Electa) from 1991 - 1993. During this capacity, she traveled to many state and countries of the world. She also was a General Grand Chapter committee member for ESTARL, and was appointed as an "Angel in Disguise" for three years. Within Eastern Star, she also became Grand Representative to the United Grand Chapter of Australia in the Grand Chapter of Connecticut. She had many interests and especially loved to travel, sewing, reading and swimming at her cottage in R.I. All her family will miss her loving and caring manner. Two sons, Carl Chester Heinrich of Bozrah; William Lawrence Heinrich and his wife Barbara Snyder Heinrich from Virginia; a brother Rev. Dr. Robert Prentice Lawrence and wife Beth; nephew Dr. Mark Lawrence and niece Rev. Priscilla Lawrence Melampey; cousins Nancy Almira Watson, George Franklin Watson and his wife, Elsa and cousin Mariam Bailey Evans, Mildred Bode and Alvan Lawrence all survive her. Visitation will be held on Monday Nov. 3, 2014 from 6 - 8 P.M. at Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem Street, Norwich, CT 06360. An 11:00 A.M. funeral service will be held on Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 at the United Congregational Church in Norwich. Burial will immediately follow at Maplewood Cemetery. Donation in her memory may be made to the Untied Congregational Church, 87 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 or to the local American Heart Association Chapter or CT order of Eastern Star, P.O. Box 143, Plymouth, CT 06782. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online tribute or condolence