Marsha Jean Lawson

Marsha Jean Lawson, 70, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away at 11:40 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2020 in hospice care at her home after a brief hospitalization. She was surrounded by her daughter and son with her sister and brother on the phone as she passed from this life to be with her Lord and Savior. The cause of her death was lung cancer.

Marsha was born on July 13, 1950 in Lafayette, Indiana to Lucille and Kenneth Lawson. Marsha was a 1968 graduate of Star City (Indiana) high school and attended Purdue and Ball State. She spent most of her formative years on a Pulaski County farm. She lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan for 28 years before moving to Phoenix in 2002.

Marsha worked in real estate for most of her career—as an agent, office support and in corporate relocations. She was employed by Jaqua Realtors in Kalamazoo and Prudential Relocation—initially in Kalamazoo before her transfer to Phoenix.

Marsha reveled in simply spending time with friends and family. She had such a warm heart, hearty laugh, was a good listener and adept conversationalist that always lifted the spirits of those in her presence.

Survivors include one daughter, Jennifer (Bill) Tohtz of Chesterton, Indiana, and one son, Andrew Compton of Phoenix; three grandchildren: Kayla, Karli and Liam. One sister, Janice (John) Dilts of Winamac, Indiana, and one brother, Michael Lawson (Audrey Hallett) of Washington, DC. Marsha has many nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews; she loved them all dearly.

Marsha was preceded in death by her parents, Olive Lucille (Gross) and Kenneth Dale Lawson and her long-time partner, Jim Shirah.

Memorial services will be held in Indiana in early- to mid-November at location to be determined.

Burial will take place in the Hughes Cemetery near Monticello, Indiana next to her parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or you can plant a tree in memory of Marsha.