Vivian Lawrence

Vivian Elaine Lawrence

August 25, 1936 — December 20, 2025

Wharton

Vivian Elaine Lawrence of Wharton passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Sodalis Assisted Living in Wharton. Vivian was born on August 25, 1936, in New York City to the late Dominick Joseph and Antoinette Mamo Grech.

Vivian grew up in New York, where she attended school and later worked as a telephone operator. On May 4, 1957, she married her childhood sweetheart, George James Lawrence, at St. Sebastian’s Church in Woodside, New York. They subsequently made their home in Lake Peekskill, New York, where they raised their four loving, intelligent, talented sons—George, Thom, Stephen, and Joseph—instilling in them a deep love of country, respect for all people, and a steadfast devotion to the Lord. Vivian also volunteered as a part time physical education teacher at Saint Columbanus Parochial School.

Due to George’s job constructing nuclear power plants, the family moved seven times, living in Maryland, Mississippi, upstate New York, Louisiana, and ultimately settling in Wharton in November 1980. Throughout every move, Vivian created warm, welcoming homes for her family—long before the conveniences of the internet—while raising four active boys with grace, humor, and resilience.

A two-time breast cancer survivor, Vivian worked for many years as the bookkeeper at No Nam Boutique in downtown Wharton. She was a devoted member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where she served actively on the Fellowship Committee, chaired the parish directory twice, and participated in the Catholic Daughters of America Court #1990.

Vivian will always be remembered as a generous, hardworking, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, deeply devoted to God and family, always living with courage and hope, trusting in the Lord and Blessed Mother. Vivian shared a wonderful sense of humor with her husband, a gift they passed on to their children. Vivian loved baking, gardening, and celebrating Christmas, and always had a smile and kind word for everyone she met. Her jovial laugh and cheerful smile were contagious, and she will be dearly missed.

Vivian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George; her parents; her brother Edmund; her sister Doris Halpin and husband, Jean; her brother Joseph Grech and wife, Patricia; and her brother-in-law Frank Palmadessa.

Vivian is survived by her children: George N. Lawrence of Richmond, Texas; Thomas J. Lawrence and wife, Theresa, of East Hampton, New York; Stephen G. Lawrence and wife, Kim, of Castaic, California; and Joseph J. Lawrence and wife, Samantha, of Pearland, Texas. Vivian is also survived by her sister Maryann Palmadessa of Lake Katrine, New York; her grandchildren Sarah Lawrence, Justin Lawrence, Chelsea Segura and her husband, Joey, Leah Hardwick and her husband, Eddy, Faith Lawrence, and Lila Lawrence; and her great grandchildren Sophie Segura and Jack Segura.

Visitation will be held at Wharton Funeral Home on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with Father Samuel Appiasi presiding. The rite of committal and burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park in Wharton. Vivian’s six grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Vivian’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Sodalis Assisted Living and Houston Hospice for all the love, compassion, and care they provided. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Houston Hospice, Holy Family Fellowship, Catholic Daughters of America Court #1990, or a local food bank. Sending flowers to local cancer treatment patients or ordering a memorial tree in Vivian’s honor are also meaningful ways to remember her.

Services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared at whartonfuneralhome.com.