Mary "Karolyn" Lawrence

Mary “Karolyn” Lawrence, age 72, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Menno Haven Nursing Center. Born at home on Christmas Day 1944 to Lester Sr. & Nettie Doyle Hammond in Dry Run, PA, she frequently teased her four older siblings that she was the BEST Christmas present they ever got!
Karolyn was a 1962 graduate of Fannett Metal High School. She was not only a homemaker, but also worked for The Osterman House, and later for Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church. As a young woman, she often volunteered to help out with her daughters’ Girl Scouts troops’ activities; enjoyed going dancing with her husband, and hanging out with her family and friends. She loved her kitty cats, especially Mr. Malibu and Tiger.
She married her husband, Bob, on October 17, 1964, which brought her to Chambersburg from Path Valley. From 1987 until 1999, she lived in the Los Angeles area because of her husband’s job in aircraft manufacturing.
Karolyn is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bob; two daughters: Cheri Lawrence-Laycock (husband, Mitch) of Belmont, NC, and Tricia A. Lawrence of Mechanicsburg, PA; and two granddaughters: Kylie and Alexa Laycock of Belmont, NC. She is also survived by three siblings: two sisters, Virginia Yocum (Leonard Wyant) of Dry Run, and Brenda Fleming of Chambersburg; and one brother, Lester Hammond, Jr. of Duncannon… along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, who passed away five hours apart on May 19, 1994, Karolyn is preceded in death by three older brothers: Richard, Pete, and Warren Hammond.
Karolyn was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1981, and handled the resulting indignities from the MS with the most incredible grace!! Her family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Menno Haven staff, nurses and aides who took care of her and loved her, including Linda, Verna, Jodi, Steven, Matthew, Bonnie, Candy, Kayla, Shelly, Nancy, Annabella, Vicky, Sandy, Dawn, Pat, Kirsten, Crystal, and many others.
Heart-felt thanks to Pastor Deb Mummert, Jean Diehl, and Ruth Mueller for being there for our mom.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening, June 15, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 PM and Friday, June 16, 2017 from Noon until 1:00 PM at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Services will begin at 1:00 PM Friday in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Brenda Doyle officiating. Interment will follow the service at Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Chambersburg.
Karolyn requested that flowers be omitted, and contributions in her memory be made to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 5051 Letterkenny Road West, Chambersburg, PA 17201.