Paula Lawrence

Paula Nina Lawrence of Shrewsbury, New Jersey, passed away on May 26, 2024. A mother to three daughters, Paula epitomized the best of motherhood by raising them with love, values, joy, intelligence, empathy, parity and compassion. To Roy Lawrence, her late husband who passed in 2020, Paula was a lifetime companion who shared with him square dancing, gardening, reading, annual vacations in Hawaii, traveling, art collecting and raising their daughters within a marriage of mutual respect, friendship, love, deep caring and commitment. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Paula loved attending former Brooklyn Dodgers baseball games with friends when young. In college, her passion for poetry and prose led her to major in English at Queens College in New York, while her fondness for children and strong belief in the value of education impelled her to get her teaching certificate. After teaching, Paula returned to school to earn a master’s degree in guidance from Montclair State University, soon after taking a position as a guidance counselor with Saddle Brook High School until she retired. Paula left a deep impression on those who knew her. She loved God and church, and stood up for her convictions, democratic values, political opinions and concern for the environment with wit and vigor. She generously donated to charities that supported economically disadvantaged families, the environment and other causes. Paula loved playing the piano, swimming, reading, decorating her home, square dancing with her husband, classical music, shopping and knitting. A well-spoken protestor against practices or activities she felt unfair, wrong or hurtful, Paula joined the picket lines during a teachers’ strike in her school district; marched in anti-war protests, and together with her husband, fought and won against a N.J. Transit railroad storage yard proposed for their Sparta neighborhood. Paula cherished her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and put them first above all else. Her house and heart were always open to those in need, while her easy laughter regularly brightened those around her. Paula is survived by daughters Kathy Ruis and son-in-law Bob Ruis; June Lawrence, and Carol Lawrence and son-in-law Lewis Hurwitz; grandson Alex Koelmel, granddaughter Erika Eisinger and husband Kurt Eisinger, great-granddaughters Kayla, Morgan and Kenzie Eisinger.

Paula Lawrence

October 18, 1934 - May 26, 2024