Carol (McKenzie) Lawrence

Carol (McKenzie) Lawrence, our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on January 14, 2022 at the age of 84 while surrounded by her five children.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park with visitation starting at 9 am until the time of service.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Carol grew up in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Maplewood, attending Hillside 14B Elementary School.  She graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1955, thoroughly enjoying her high school years.  She participated in many activities and loved singing in the choir and playing the coronet in the marching band. She attended Rasmussen Business School and worked for the State of Minnesota.  She moved to Cottage Grove and raised 5 children.  Carol formed close lifelong bonds with her neighbors, enjoying a cup of coffee, a game of Scrabble or just a good laugh.  She attended Saturday evening mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church where she enjoyed fellowship and faith.

Carol was a retiree from the US Postal Service and proud of her Norwegian/Irish heritage.  Carol was fun loving, humorous and happy go lucky.  Carol loved driving her blue car "CAROLAN", with her blond hair and manicured nails.   She was sure to bring fun to any event.  Her greatest love was spending time with her family.  She raised her children in a happy home with kindness, never judging and freedom to explore.  Carol loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her grandchildren were always welcome for a bonfire, sleepovers, to swing from the apple tree, fun and mischief.  She had a plaque hanging in the kitchen that summed it up "what happens at grandma’s stays at grandma’s".  She loved her pets and is fondly remembered by some as "Grandma Kitty Puppy."  Carol was a gifted storyteller and felt you could never have too many dolls, Christmas houses, gnomes, flamingos or Betty Boop items.  She enjoyed a morning cup of coffee while reading the newspaper and doing the Jumble puzzle.  Carol had many hobbies which included crocheting, sewing and embroidering.  She enjoyed flowers, funny movies, playing Scrabble, eating walleye and making people laugh.  Carol's door was always open for family, friends and neighbors.  Carol Ann made each and everyone she met feel special, but to her family and friends she was the most special.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Charlotte; sisters Jeanette and Audrey; husbands Richard McKenzie and Dennis Lawrence.  She is survived by her sister Geraldine Sorensen; children Mike (Laura) McKenzie, Tom (Karen) McKenzie, Maricarol (Mark) Johnson, Bob (Colleen) McKenzie and James (Jodi) McKenzie; grandchildren Amanda, Holly, Matt, Trevor, Nick, Thomas, Kelsey, Lauren, Kelly, Danny, Keri, Megan, Eleasha, Brandon and Tyler; great-grandchildren Braden, Olivia, Connor, Scarlett, Everly and Isla.

A special thanks to the 2nd floor nursing staff and palliative care team at Woodwinds hospital.  Memorials preferred to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:  For those who would like to participate in Carol's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:00 am.  It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and "CLICK PLAY" to begin.  Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.