Muriel Lawson

Muriel (Elinor) Wade Lawson passed away Thursday, July 28, 2011 in Ashland after a long and fulfilling life. She was born November 15th, years ago in Lewisburg, WV to John and Muriel Wade. She grew to adulthood in the shadow of her beloved Greenbrier Resort where she was head of medical records during WWII when The Greenbrier was known as Ashford Hospital. Elinor was an educated, witty, and adventurous young woman who loved riding thoroughbred horses, and whose trips with her friends to New York City and other places predicted an active, vibrant life.

She married Carl Lawson in 1946 and they set out to build the family life that most accurately reveals the person Elinor was and would become. Elinor defined her life through her commitment to her family, her dignity and grace, and the wisdom she shared through word and deed. As a young mother, her dedication to creating the best possible twilight for her own beloved mother and mother-in-law quietly set an example for everyone around her.

After brief stays in Georgia and Indiana, she and Carl established their growing family in Ashland, Ohio in 1968 where she had the last of her ten children and settled into raising and guiding them all to adulthood. Elinor was involved in many religious and social groups at Trinity Lutheran Church, loved poetry and art, enjoyed golfing and traveling with her husband, and volunteered extensively in her community.

Through her later years, she took great joy in the times when her large and scattered family came together on special occasions; and Elinor would always remind them to stay close together and take care of one another.

Elinor is survived by five sons, Michael, David, Richard, Keith, and Steve; three daughters, Elinor Baumberger, Katherine Langley, and Amy Lawson-Allred; several sons and daughters-in-law; and a host of grandchildren and great-grand children. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Wade, his wife Mary, and their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Lawson; and two sons, Karl and Jim Lawson.

A private family service will be conducted by Pastor Denis Wittenberger at the home of Elinor’s daughter Amy Lawson-Allred. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, or Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, OH 44805.

She will be truly missed.