Twylah Mary Lawson

Twylah was born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1923. She had 3 older brothers and one older sister. After high school and living only a few blocks away from the University of Iowa, Twylah became a Hawkeye and in 1946 graduated with a B.S. degree in Commerce. Feeling restless in Iowa, Twylah hitched a ride with one of her brothers and a girlfriend and headed West to Hollywood California. She quickly found a job working for a radio program called “Queen for a Day”, and did any and all jobs associated with the show. She continued working as the radio show became a television show, just as the era of modern television was beginning. After her showbiz job was over, she quickly found a new job in Los Angeles as the Executive Secretary for the president of the Robinson’s department store. It was around this time that she met and married the love of her life, Charles Lawson. A son, William, was born in 1960 and Chuck and Twylah moved to the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.

Twylah went back to work again in the 1970’s for the Rand Corporation, located in Santa Monica. Her secretary skills had always been sought after as she could type 90 words a minute and she knew shorthand, which allowed her to take dictation notes as fast as somebody could talk. She was an avid tennis player, along with Chuck, and they were members of the Palisades Tennis Club for decades. After retirement, Twylah and Chuck moved to Solana Beach, CA where they continued playing tennis and added golf to their activities. They both loved to watch tennis tournaments on TV along with Laker and Dodger games. Twylah and Chuck also engaged in travel exploring many countries over the years including Australia, Tahiti, Japan, England, France and Canada. Perhaps her greatest joy in life was all of the time she got to spend with her 3 grandchildren, who are now all grown. Over the years the grandchildren always found time to visit, call and hang out with Nana. Twylah was preceded in death by Chuck. She is survived by her son William and his wife Liz along with her 3 grandchildren.