Obituary of Marian Lawson

Marian Gwendolyn Lawson peacefully entered heaven on February 21, 2014 at age 84. She was born May 22, 1929 in Veneta, Oregon.Marian was the first of three children born to Marion A. and Bernice G. (Wray) Blanton. After her parents moved from Oakridge, she grew up in the house her father built in the Santa Clara area of North Eugene. Not long after, she was joined by her brother Gene and then sister Joyce. Growing up she helped out in her family’s orchard and garden and learned to cook and preserve the fruit and vegetables that they produced. Marian attended grade school in Eugene and graduated from Eugene High School in 1947.As a young girl Marian learned to sew. She and her cousin Wilma often spent time sewing together. Over the years Marian sewed everything from bridal gowns to outfits for grandchildren. As a teen Marian met Delbert Lawson at church. They had been married 50 years when Del passed away on Dec. 5, 2000. Marian also enjoyed photography. Her pictures chronicled family gatherings and all stages of her family’s life.After graduating from Eugene Business College she started her career as a legal secretary at the Law office of Bailey, Hoffman and Spencer. She also worked in the office of Santa Clara Church of Christ. When the family moved to Florence, she worked for Attorney Ron Gerber, as well as Florence Christian Church. When she and Delbert moved to Boise, Idaho she was the executive secretary for the president of Boise Bible College, Dr. Crane.Marian and Delbert adopted their children, starting with son Kelly, then daughters Valerie and Tracy, followed by son Jeremy. Even with a career outside the home, her children were her focus. She was one of the original soccer moms, making sure her kids were at the game with plenty of oranges for the whole team. She taught sewing in 4H when the girls were young and also taught her kids to downhill ski. Marian, Delbert, and kids enjoyed camping and picnicing mainly at the coast or in the Cascades. Marian and Delbert were active in church and were High School Youth sponsors for several years, both in Eugene and Florence. Marian had a great singing voice and sang in church choirs as well as being a member of a gospel trio that performed at other area churches.After Delbert passed away, she returned to Eugene to be close to family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Delbert, brother Gene Blanton, brother-in-law Ernest Lawson and daughter-in-law Sue Lawson.Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law Joyce and Cloe Carpenter of Eugene, sister-in-law Billie Blanton of Springfield, brother and sister-in-law John and Wilma Lawson of Washington, sister-in-law Bobbi Lawson of La Grande, son Kelly and daughter-in-law Natalin of Junction City, daughter Valerie of Eugene, daughter Tracy of Portland, Oregon and son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Kelli of California, 11 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and longtime friends Denton and Celia Marshall of EugeneMarian’s celebration of life will be at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com