Fleur H. Lawrence

Fleur Marguerite Lawrence (née Hahne) of Old Lyme, CT passed away at Greenwich Hospital on September 3, 2024 at the age of 84. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer, which she had bravely battled over the past year. Fleur was predeceased by her husband Gerard (Jerry) Lawrence, who passed away in January.

Fleur is survived by her four children, Christopher (Eileen) of Killingworth, Kirsten (Sander) of Greenwich, Melissa (Marc) of Barcelona, and James (Rebecca) of Charleston, S.C., as well as 13 beloved grandchildren. Also left to mourn are her brothers Kristopher (Birgitta) and Göran (Eva) of Sweden, their children and grandchildren, her beloved niece Agneta af Winklerfelt of Palma, Spain, other extended family, and numerous dear friends.

Fleur was born in Stockholm on November 30, 1939, the third child and treasured daughter of Elsa and Ivar Hahne. Ivar passed away from cancer when Fleur was 10 years old, leaving Elsa to raise her children alone. Fleur otherwise enjoyed an idyllic childhood, growing up in Stockholm and its surrounding rural towns, often biking or skiing to school. Naturally curious and possessing a gift for languages, Fleur studied English, French, German and Italian. After taking her baccalaureate, Fleur joined Pan American Airlines as a flight attendant, with which she traveled the world.

Fleur met Jerry at a cocktail party in NYC in 1963 and they married in 1965. They were a dashing, dynamic couple. After Jerry completed his orthopedic surgical training at Yale, they settled in Windham, CT. There, while raising her young family, Fleur dove into community and academic life. She served as the director of the Mount Hope Montessori School, operated her own antique shops, and spearheaded the Windham Regional Arts Council. After taking courses at UConn and ECSU, she went on to earn a B.A. in American Studies at Connecticut College. After graduation, she served as the College’s Associate Fundraising Director. As chair of the board of the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Fleur headed up the museum’s effort to become independent from the college. Fleur also served on the board of the Old Lyme Art Academy.

While proudly becoming an American citizen, Fleur maintained close ties with her Swedish family and heritage through regular travel and membership in SVEA International. With a deep appreciation for art, design, fashion, music, and literature, Fleur relished redesigning and decorating her homes, entertaining friends and family, days at home with Jerry reading and listening to music, and creating beautiful knitwear cherished by her children and grandchildren.

Fleur was a devoted, loyal friend and was forever bringing together the people she loved. She was a wonderful listener, confidant, and advisor to family and friends.

Above all, Fleur cherished her family, and her family adored her. She was a great role model and a fierce advocate for her children and grandchildren, encouraging them to believe they were capable of anything. Fleur will be greatly missed by them, her extended family and so many friends.

The family would especially like to thank Fleur’s most devoted helpers and caregivers: Sandra, Naima, Cathleen, Lorana, Lotta, Lee, and AJ. Also, a very special thanks to Chuck, the team from Yale Hospice, and everyone at Greenwich Hospital who cared for Fleur so beautifully during her final days.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, September 5, at the Robinson Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook. Funeral Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 6, at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Lyme Street, Old Lyme. Burial will follow at the Duck River Cemetery in Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Fleur and Jerry Lawrence Endowed Scholarship at the University of Connecticut or to the Florence Griswold Museum.

“A great soul serves everyone all the time.

A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” Maya Angelou