Helen J Lawson

Helen Claire Jacques Lawson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 95, in the early morning hours of Wed, Nov 12, 2025, in Pflugerville, TX as a rare display of The Northern Lights were making their presence known in the sky.

Helen was born in Brooklyn, NY, on Oct 6, 1930, to Albert Victor Jacques and Alice Healy Jacques. Her family moved up to New Windsor, NY, when she was a teenager. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy (Class of 1948). She received her teaching degree from State Teachers College at New Paltz (now known as SUNY New Paltz) in 1952 in New Paltz, NY.

Helen married the love of her life, Frank Jarvis “Judd” Lawson III, on Jun 19, 1954, and they raised their 3 children in New Windsor. Helen was employed as an elementary school teacher at West Point Elementary School and was a substitute teacher for many years in the Newburgh School system.

Helen loved singing and had a beautiful voice. She could often be heard singing Danny Boy from her kitchen window. She loved traveling, swimming in the ocean, playing golf, attending West Point Army Football games, and entertaining their many friends. They travelled all over the world together. They retired to Boca Raton, FL, in 1990 to be near the ocean and their daughters.

Helen is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, her parents, her sister, Barbara Jacques Mallon, and her brothers-in-law, James Sclafani and William Mallon.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Charles Lawson and his spouse Mary (San Antonio, TX), Cynthia LoCastro, and Nancy Lawson-Birk (Pflugerville, TX); her sister, Arlene Jacques Sclafani (Delray Beach, FL); her grandchildren, Blake Lawson (Tacoma, WA), Brooks Lawson, Allison Alt (Austin,TX), Andrew Alt and his spouse Lindsey (Jupiter, FL), Sophia Birk and her spouse Sam Walker (Aurora, CO), and Simon Birk (Houston, TX); her 2 great-grandsons, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held next spring (at a future date - details forthcoming) when Helen’s ashes will be interred with Judd at the VA National Cemetery, South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 FL South State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Helen J. Lawson to: World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 (https://www.worldwildlife.org)

The family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported our family in caring for Helen, including her physician, Dr. Leo Toupin, the staff at Hospice Austin, and the amazing staff at Heritage Lakes Senior Living in Pflugerville, TX, especially, Missy, Erich, Jovita, Lexi, Janey, Abby, Danielle, Jessica, Robin, and so many others.

Enjoy singing with the Angels Mom!!!