Submitted by: Dan Rich

Donna Marie Lawson

April 19, 1930 - Feb. 16, 2003

South Bend Tribune 2/19/2003

On Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2:50 p.m. in Avon Park, Fla., Donna Marie Lawson, 72, went home to be with the Lord. She was born on April 19, 1930, in South Bend, Ind., to Joseph Nicolas Howard and Clara Anna (Dodd) Howard.

In June 1948 she graduated from Central High School and in August of that same year she married Carl Francis Lawson, who is still here loving her. They lived in the Niles, Mich., and South Bend area most of their lives, moving to Avon Park a few years ago to care for her stepfather. Her children will cherish her memory. They are Charles and his wife, Roberta Lawson, Cheryl Ennis, Carl Lawson, Constance Lawson, Clifford Lawson, Cathy and her husband, Stanley Brown, Christopher and his wife, Laurie Lawson, and Mary Lawson. God also blessed her with 30 grandchildren, Mona, Kevin, Victor, Brenda, Timothy, Lisa, Christina, Kirk, Howard, Heather, Kevin, Kay, Mike, Carl, Jeremie, Kerianne, Charles, Melanie, Sean, Lindsey, Ashley, Christopher, Aaron, Adam, Anthony, Andrew, Alicia, Anna, Eric and Benjamin. There are 14 great-grandchildren who loved her, Amber, Kevin, David, Kyle, Jeremy, Johnathan, Hannah, Cameron, Isabella, Brady, Breya, Nicholas, Bailey and Clayton. Donna loved all of her brothers and sisters, Charles Jann, Delores Frost, William Jann, Kenneth Howard, Louise Kujawa, Joel Howard, Barbara Frame, Jane Kujawa (deceased), Margurite Kobain, Joseph Howard and Phillip Howard. Her parents and her beloved stepfather, Charles Amones, also preceded her in death.

Donna was a member of the 3B Club of Niles whose members during the Vietnam Conflict sent care packages and wrapped bandages for our brave soldiers. She also touched many children's lives while working at Muessel School under the direction of Dr. Virginia Calvin. Donna loved her family, was a devoted friend, and will be deeply missed by all.