Frances Jane Lawrence

Frances Jane Rice Lawrence passed away peacefully on 26 October, leaving an enormous void her family can never fill. She was a devoted wife, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, loving sister and aunt, and dear friend to many.

Frances “Fran” was born in Lewiston Maine in 1938 to William and Florence Rice. She, her sister, Edith, and her parents moved to Sarasota from Cumberland Maine in 1949. Her brother, Clifton, was serving overseas in the Army when the family moved to Sarasota. Tragically, Clifton was killed in action in the Korean War, a devastating loss the family never fully recovered from. Her sister passed away in 2006. Fran attended Sarasota High School where she met her would-be husband, Alan H. Lawrence. They married in October 1955 and continued to live in Sarasota, save for a short tour of duty in Puerto Rico while Alan was serving in the Navy. It broke Fran’s heart to sell their treasured “Hillview Cottage” home in early 2023 where she loved to sit and sew, or read, or spend quiet time in the garden amongst her flowers, birds and various rescued pets she and Alan adopted over the years.

Alan and Fran had four children; Peggi, Timothy, Jeffrey, and Alan, Jr., and she was a very devoted mother to them all. Sadly, they lost their youngest son, Alan, to health issues in 2019. Fran was an exceptional mother in every respect and her children felt that in the love and support she provided right up to her passing. Her children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren will forever cherish the love she brought to their lives. Fran took special joy in participating in and/or supporting the various activities her family was involved in over the years, including Little League Baseball, Boy and Girl Scouts; Riverview High School Kiltie Band concerts, halftime shows, parades, etc.; church occasions; school graduations; baking cookies with her grandchildren; and traveling across America as well as numerous locations in Europe. She was an accomplished aircraft pilot; a major achievement that she and Alan often enjoyed together as they freely flew about Florida seeking new breakfast adventures and occasional long weekends in tucked away locations. Fran was also proud of the fact she was the oldest member of her class when she attended the Sarasota Vocational Technical School earning her initial Medical Assistant credentials. She went on to share her innate medical skills while helping others for over 25 years in renowned respiratory and ophthalmology practices. Fran said some of her proudest accomplishments stemmed from volunteering her time and support at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Community Medical Clinic; her “support group” as she fondly referred to it.

Anyone that knew Fran would tell you that she was one of the kindest, most sincere people imaginable. She’d gladly do anything for anyone in need and somehow always made time to listen or share compassion for those who needed a shoulder to lean on. She knew no strangers as anyone who met her immediately became a friend and admirer. Fran led by example and enriched countless lives as she navigated her nearly 86 years of life. She’ll be missed immensely and loved for eternity.

A memorial service will be held in her honor Saturday, 30 November, beginning at 11:00 at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Sarasota County, 2331 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237.