I was so deeply saddened to hear of Toni's passing. She was an inspiration to me as an intern/resident at the VA. She was such an amazing woman with a cheerful enthusiasm for the important & often difficult work that she pursued.  I wish her close friends and family peace in the midst of this painful loss.

The Sea-Tac Chapter of the Society of Air Force Nurses offers our condolences to Toni's family and friends. Thankyou for sharing your loved one with us. Toni, thankyou for your service which you gave in so many ways over the years. Your light will continue to burn in those lives that you have touched. God bless, Theresa Downs

Toni and I began our friendship at St. Mary's Academy and became fast and furious friends.  She was one of a kind and one of the funniest and most caring people I have ever known.  God had to help the nuns during our stay at St. Mary's.  Toni introduced my first husband and myself at one of St. Catherine's kickball games and as a result of that introduction, we named our last girl after her - Mary Anntoinette and call her Toni.  I think even at that time, I knew Toni would be going places none of us ever dreamed of.

My dear friend, thank you for making a difference in all of our lives.  

Keep God laughing.

Bright, witty(!), compassionate, always fighting the good fight, a politician, a patriot, an extraordinary gal. Most of us have a short list of those we admire most in our lives, and Toni will always be on mine. She helped more people (staff & patients alike) in more ways than she ever knew. Knowing & working with her (& her partner in crime) was just simply a treat, & I will treasure those memories & value those lessons forever. Love you & miss you, Toni. I'll think of you each time I read Howard Troxler's column, & it won't be hard to imagine your commentary. 

My most sincere sympathy to the Lawrie family. Thanks for sharing the family photos. I hope to see Toni's memoir in print someday...

I worked with Toni at Bay Pines during the 80's - she was a very special friend and totally dedicated to the veterans she cared for and served.  She threatened to drive her riding lawn mower to work - typical Toni with her great sense of humor!  I'll always remember you, Toni - you and Mary Jane (Lewis) have fun up there....

Susan Lescenski

I met Toni at the VA at a time when we both still believed we could change the world.  There were women’s causes that needed support and there were programs that needed to be built.  Toni and I found strength and purpose in the “mission” and in each other, and we knew that our collective determination was unstoppable.  We accomplished much and then one day Toni said that she was sick and needed to leave and although so much changed, our friendship remained an enduring and precious part of my life.  Today I can see vaguely through my grief and there are moments when I think I can actually hear her laugh again, as if it is time for us to join forces again to take on another mission.  Toni, I will forever hold you in my heart.

My prayers go out to all the Lawrie family.  I have good memories of growing up on Bradbury and attending the same schools with Toni.  We know she is coaching kickball up in heaven.

Toni was an inspiration to many of us who worked with her, and we are so grateful for the work she did for Women Veterans everywhere.  I will miss her quick wit, and her smile (it always seemed there was a lot going on behind those bright eyes -- and there was!).


Condolences to Toni's family and friends.

I'm proud to have known Toni for the short while she attended St. Mary Academy, Indianapolis,1955-57. She was such a part of our school days there. As a class leader she made quite an impression even then.
Our class invited her to our 50th reunion in 2009. She couldn't attend but sent a letter to all of us and it was shared at the luncheon.
We were all very proud to have known Toni. 

May God hold her in the palm of His hand.

Kathy Mobley Hofmeister Indianapolis, In.

My heart goes out to all of you and your families, I remember Toni from kickball at St Catherine's. She was the best. I am deeply saddened to hear that God has called her home. He must have needed another angel. Francine (Hammel) Underwood

To the Lawrie family, our deep condolences from the Biehl family - long time neighbors of the Lawries in Indpls.

Hello to Doug, Cathy, and John.

Toni, we will miss us at the condo where you lived. You were a good neighbor and fellow veteran. Rest in peace and condolences to your family.

You will be missed by many who will have benefited from your direction many years ago at Bay Pines.  I will especially remember you for your "special" Christmas sweater that you only wore once a year at this time saying how you just finished knitting it.  God Bless you and give your family peace.

My dear friend, Toni, since 1968 and Vietnam.  I shall miss you dearly------you have been there so so long and such a stable force in my life. When you left VN first, we were sad to see you go and you said, "without any sad good-byes, there would be no happy hellos."  We have had many happy hellos since and I look forward to the next. All my love, Eileen

I remember Toni Lawrie as being the best kickball player in the Catholic School League back in the middle 50's.  Whenever we (St. Joan of Arc) played her team, we knew we were going to lose.

Ginny Hulsman Schott

Toni, thanks for your faithful service to America and the world through your work in the Peace Corp, and in the United States Air Force, for your unselfish caring of others through a long professional career in Nursing at Bay Pines and elsewhere.  I pray for your family during this time of adjustment, remembrance, and celebration of your life.  As someone on our Hospice team voices often, "People die, but love never dies"

Dan Hummer
Chaplain 
Bay Pines VA

To all my Lawrie cousins who have lost avery special sister.  All of you have been in my thoughts an prayers.  Toni's life is an example of how special she really was. I know God will forgive her fo cheating in euchre.

OBITUARY

Mary Anntoinette Lawrie

9 January, 1941 – 15 December, 2010

Serenity Funeral Home

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