I still remember Mrs. Lawrence telling me 13 years ago that if I didn't improve my print handwriting, she wouldn't teach me cursive.  I'm not sure if it ever improved, but it certainly didn't last.  I believe everything else I learned in my second grade class has stuck with me to this day.  We learned the basics of government and American pride, appreciation for literature and art, and the skills of leadership.  I particularly remember Mrs. Lawrence coming out on the playground to watch the boys play basketball and teaching us the value of sportsmanship.

The lessons we learned every day in Mrs. Lawrence's class translated into so many important values and morals that I think we all have today.  I know that I can't thank Rosemary enough for turning me into the man I am today.  Rosemary, you were an amazing teacher and an even more incredible woman who continued to touch my life after I left your classroom, and I know you will continue to touch my life.

Thank you Rosemary Lawrence, you will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Lawrence was my 1st grade teacher at Wolters Elementary many, many years ago. What a sweet lady she was! My condolences to her family.

Mrs. Lawrence was my 2nd grade teacher at Gibson.  I will never forget how she greeted me with such kindness and warmth every morning.  She was also a great friend and supported me whether it was in my academics, sports, or Reconciliation and my First Communion.  Mrs. Lawrence was an amazing woman and she will be missed greatly by myself and everyone who was fortunate enough to have her in their life.

Dear Rosemary, This candle is being lit for you to symbolize all you have done for others.  It will live on.  You have impacted many of us and made this world a better place.  Thank you for your bright spirit, caring nature and generous heart.  You are a role model and an inspiration.  You will never be forgotten.  Till we meet again.  Much love to you Rosemary!

Ms. Lawrence was our son's second grade teacher at Gibson.  I remembered how blessed we were that Keith was in her class!  One of the many memories of Keith's second grade was Ms. Lawrence allow each student to take Winston (a stuff bear) home for the weekend.  (She was trying to teach each student the responsibilities to care for Winston like a sibling, or friend.)
We will always remember her kindness towards everyone and memories of her will always be in our hearts.  The Kandel Family

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Lawrence, not only because she was my 2nd grade teacher, but also because she was my friend and helped shape me into the person I am today.  She dedicated her life to bettering the lives of others and was so compassionate and generous.  She lived her life in such a way, that the rest of us could only hope to be half the person she was.  Ms. Lawrence will be missed but surely not forgotten by the numerous people she helped, especially her former students.  I know she is in a better place, and no longer suffering.  I will never forget how she illuminated a room with her kindness and genuine goodness.  God bless her and her family.

With my respect and love,

Derek Youpel

There is nothing that can be said that will adequately discribe our family's sorrow with the loss of Rosemary.  She was the second grade teacher to both of my sons, Derek and Nicolas, at Gibson.  Aside from being their teacher, she became a member of our family.  She attended their graduations, First Communions, Confirmations, and joined our family for Easters and Christmas.  Sadly, she missed Derek's "big day", his wedding last month. Rosemary was so proud that Derek and Nicolas attended San Joaquin Memorial and went on to Catholic universities and now there will be an empty seat at Nicolas' graduation from University of San Diego next spring. 

We will forever love and miss you Rosemary.

Rosemary was my son's 2nd grade teacher in the 1997-98 school year at Gibson Elementary.  Without a doubt, she had the most positive impact on my son and our family of any teacher ever.  We came to know her personally as a family and she was always interested and engaged in updates not only on my son John but on John's grandparents as well.  From Back to School Night, it was clear how much she valued family.  She told the parents she would not assign much homework because she believed in family time and our kids should be in bed by 8:30!  She was not afraid to go outside strict definitions of just teaching the students during the day.  She cared deeply about their home life and knew how important it was to their well being.  She allowed her students to achieve their fullest potential as they took turns being the "President for the Day" that began the morning with reading a poem they had selected, leading the Pledge of Allegiance, giving a weather report and sharing a current event.  This was a big deal in terms of public speaking - standing at a certain point- good posture - looking out at the audience.  This class was just one year of many that Rosemary taught and yet it produced some outstanding students and I am sure major contributors to society in the future, thanks in large part to her efforts.  She instilled in them a love of reading and when she introduced "The Magic Tree House" series of books, the excitement was palpable.  The better readers were paired with the weaker readers and both benefited and felt good about it without it being emphasized who was stronger and who was weaker, they were a team together.  She introduced them to art and they learned who the French Impressionist painters were and did Monet-like water colors.  In 2002 when we traveled to France as a family, my son was actually interested in seeing the Oursay Museum in Paris, which specializes in Impressionist art, thanks to the groundwork laid by Rosemary.  In Math, she had time tests for addition through division and they loved charting how they were doing and seeing what they had accomplished.  It built confidence in their math skills.  

We kept in touch with Rosemary as a family and I am so happy that John appreciated her as his favorite teacher all along.  John, along with Derek and Nicolas Youpel, recognized Rosemary with a memorial brick at Fresno State's College of Education to honor her.  She was thrilled!  Rosemary kept in touch with many former students and families.  She was invited to and joyously attended many high school graduations and some college graduations. We were very happy to include her as one of the family when John graduated from Edison High School in 2008.  I am saddened that she will not be with us at his college graduation this December from LSU because I really think if she had felt up to it, she would have loved an excuse to travel to Louisiana.  

Rosemary always gave so much of herself for others.  She never stopped asking about John and others from our class that I may be in touch with.  As  parents, we could have not wished for a better teacher and role model than Rosemary and we will miss her dearly as a friend.

Much Love to you Rosemary,

Nancy, Bob and John Bennett

Ms. Lawrence was my son's second grade teacher at Gibson Elementary School.  He is now 25 years old and doing well.  He was a poor reader in second grade and Ms. Lawrence made sure he got extra attention and a tutor.  He blossomed in reading after that year.  I am forever grateful to the kindness and caring of Ms. Lawrence because she took the extra time to make sure my son did not fall behind.  She was a great asset to her profession.

We were so sorry to hear about Rosemary.  She was a teacher at wolters for both of my children and I had the privilege of working in her classroom.  She became a special friend of our family and will be terribly missed.  What a special lady!

OBITUARY

Rosemary A. Lawrence

December 27, 1936 – August 15, 2011

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

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