Mary Loretta Lawrence, 72, of Colton's Point, MD died February 1, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born March 1, 1936 in Leonardtown, MD she was the daughter of the late Zachary Joseph and Mary Edith Hill.

She was the loving wife of the late James Francis "Jimmy" Lawrence whom she married in Chaptico, MD and who preceded her in death on April 1, 2005.

She is survived by her children Joseph Francis Lawrence and his wife Darlene of Glen Allen, VA, James Dale Lawrence of Chaptico, MD and Christopher Scott Lawrence and his wife Mary of Clements, MD as well as her siblings Catherine Cecelia Hill, James Leroy Hill, Edith Mae Bell, Ethel Marie Knott and Zachary J. Hill, Jr., all of Chaptico, MD, Robert Aloysius Hill of Avenue, MD and Elizabeth Ann Guy of Leonardtown, MD. She was the proud grandmother of four.

A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, Mary graduated from St. Mary's Academy "Class of 1954" and from St. Agnes School of Nursing "Class of 1957" where she earned her degree as a registered nurse. She worked for St. Mary's Hospital as the Superintendant of Nursing and as a County Health Nurse for St. Mary's County Health Department for 41 years, retiring in July 1997.

She was a past president of American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 221, Avenue, MD and was a member of ACTS. She enjoyed boating, traveling, music, reading and crocheting.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Pallbearers will be Ben Lawrence, Eric Lawrence, John Morgan, Justin Ellie, John Davis and Zach Hill, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Amanda Lawrence, Vicki Lawrence and Tiffany McKinney. Contributions may be made to Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research, www.Komen.org. / or P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.