Janet S. Lawrence

It is with sadness and the hope of Christ’s promise that we announce the death of Janet Lawrence. Janet passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday morning, October 22, 2025, a few weeks before her 91st birthday. She was born on November 21, 1934, to Harry and Myrtle Scanlan of Pennsville, New Jersey. Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond E. Lawrence. She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Lawrence, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her son, Peter (Pamela Warren) of Lexington, Massachusetts; and her two grandchildren, Jane Lawrence and Claire Lawrence. A life-long resident of Salem County, Janet attended Penns Grove High School where she graduated in 1951. She then attended Cornell University and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Janet met her husband, Ray, at a Christmas party in December 1953. They became engaged in April 1954 while Ray was completing his basic training. On December 30, 1954, he and Janet were married at Union Presbyterian Church in Carney’s Point, New Jersey. Ray then sailed to Heilbron, Germany where he was stationed in the Army, and Janet joined him in the summer of 1955 after graduating from college. Their time in Germany fostered a deep love of travel that they would pursue for the rest of their lives together. After returning from Germany, Janet served as a teacher in the Pennsville school system and a stay-at-home mother after the birth of her children, Andrea and Peter. She later pursued a career in law and enrolled at Rutgers University School of Law, graduating in 1976 with a Juris Doctor. After two judicial clerkships, Janet practiced law for over 20 years in her hometown of Woodstown, New Jersey, and regularly took on pro bono cases for those in need. The church played a central role in Janet’s life. She was a member of Woodstown Presbyterian Church and Union Presbyterian Church of Carney’s Point, New Jersey, and served in a number of roles in each church, including as Elder. She also served as Moderator of the West Jersey Presbytery. An animal lover, Janet dedicated her time and resources to supporting animal rights throughout her life. Janet was a voracious reader and traveled the world. She had a particular love for the history and culture of England and France, where she visited often. She was a wine collector, an excellent cook and loved entertaining her friends, and dinner parties often ended with singing around the piano. She was skilled at bridge and played with friends in her local bridge club for decades. She played competitively with her close friend and long-time bridge partner, Bruce Smith. Janet was a devoted fan of the Phillies and could regularly be found in Section 236 of the Vet watching Mike Schmidt hold down third base. She also loved trivia and appeared on Jeopardy! in 1963 where she won. Her other passions included her black standard poodles and Democratic politics. She enjoyed nothing more than a lively debate. Above all, she cherished being with the people she loved. She would regularly host her grandchildren, Jane and Claire, who called her Grammy, and her son and daughter-in-law, Pam, in Woodstown and visit them in Boston. She made many trips to Colorado and New Mexico to spend time with her daughter, Andrea. Later in life, after the death of her husband, Janet had a long and loving relationship with Evan Ewan of Woodstown, a friend of over 50 years. The joy of that relationship sustained her during a period of decline from Parkinson’s disease. The memorial service will take place at Union Presbyterian Church, 254 Shell Road, Carney’s Point, New Jersey 08069, on Saturday, November 1st, 2025, at 11:00 am with lunch to follow at the church in Featherer Hall. Her interment will take place in a private family ceremony. In lieu of the flowers, please send memorial donations to Union Presbyterian Church. www.adamsfuneralhome.org

Janet S. Lawrence

October 22, 2025

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Janet S. Lawrence

October 22, 2025

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