It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Jeanette Lake Lawson (72), beloved wife, mom, nana, sister, cousin, aunt and friend, who passed away in Mesquite, Nevada, on Sunday, Dec. 17, after an extended illness, with loved ones by her side.
Mary was born on April 12, 1951, and was raised in Kemmerer. She graduated from Kemmerer High School and then attended Weber State University. In 1972, she married Wally Lawson. During their marriage they lived in Kemmerer, as well as in Utah and Nevada.
Mary had a soft spot for her pets, and treated her surviving dog, Sammy, and other furry friends through the years, as beloved family members. Her career included work for Marge’s Floral, Union Mercantile, Lincoln-Uinta Association of Governments, and Utah Power & Light / Pacific Power.
Everyone who knew Mary knew how much she loved growing beautiful plants and working in her yard. She had a gift for flower arranging, interior decorating, landscaping, and many different crafts. She could start any project from scratch, use her magical touch to envision what she wanted, and create something that would amaze anyone who had the privilege to witness her creations.
Wherever she lived, she redecorated houses, rooms, and yards, and would collect and fashion decorations to make her own designs/themes even more spectacular and meaningful. She collected dolls, clowns, and frogs, and also enjoyed doing challenging crossword puzzles, tole painting, quilting, making personalized sewing projects for family, baking and sharing her delicious potica for the holidays and cheering for Alabama football.
Mary is survived by her husband, Wally Lawson; son, Kelly (Jennifer) Lawson; grandson, Jaxton; daughter, Missy (Roger) Evans; and grandchildren, Harlie (Madeleine Mitchell) Evans and Rogan Evans.
She is also survived by her brother, Les (Kathy) Lake; niece, Catherine (Drew Hopson) Lake; nephew, Christopher Lake; and cousins, Donna Sedey, Marion Ristrem and Larry Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie A. and Lillian (Mansueto) Lake; uncles, Frank Minnesota and Fredo Mansueto; and aunts, Erma Kusnirik and Emma Mansueto.
Mary will be dearly missed, and her kindness and creative touch will always be remembered by family and friends. She will be cremated and no memorial service is planned, per her wishes. To honor her memory, donations may be made to a local pet shelter or Shriners Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.
