JoAnne “Jo” Lawrence

JoAnne “Jo” Lawrence was called home to the Lord Feb. 9, 2015, at the age of 81. “Jo” was an Oak Harbor resident since 1973. She was born in Port Gamble, Wash., Jan. 18, 1934, the second of three daughters born to Ella and Ralph George.

Jo grew up on the Port Gamble S’Kallam Indian Reservation and later moved to Bremerton, Wash., where she met the love of her life, Gary Lawrence. Jo and Gary were married in Port Orchard, Wash., March 11, 1966, and were happily married for 49 years.

JoAnne was employed at MWR at NAS Whidbey for 23 years. She had a green thumb when it came to plants, especially fuchsia hanging baskets. She especially enjoyed camping, fishing and boating with family. Jo was an avid Seahawk fan and loved to watch her family drag race at the race track. She loved her dogs, Skippy and Bobo.

JoAnne is survived by her husband, Gary Lawrence Sr., at the family home; children, Cathy Harvey and wife Robin, son Richard Harvey Jr., daughter Julie (Todd) Stephenson and son Gary Lawrence Jr.; three grandchildren, Brian (Gabreille) Lawrence and Brittney and Dawn Stephenson; two great-grandchildren, Urijah and James Lawrence; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews on the Port Gamble S’Kallam Indian Reservation. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Alice and Marcelene.

JoAnne was cremated, and she will be buried at Ft. Scott National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kan., at a later date. Please visit JoAnne’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and memories. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor, WA.