Irene F. Lawson, of Westerly Drive, Fredonia, N.Y., passed away on Friday October 5, 2018, after a brief illness. Irene will be forever remembered by her surviving family. Irene was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, September 4, 1923, the daughter of George and Florence Kentner. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba in 1943. When she was twenty years old, Irene moved with her parents to Chicago, Illinois. Later on, she would go on to earn her master’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois in 1949.
At that time, it was rare for women to earn master’s degrees. It was at the University of Illinois where she met her husband Edwin. They were married on October 23, 1949 and stayed together until her death. Irene and her husband moved around for a few years before settling in Fredonia in 1967 where they resided ever since. Irene kept busy raising her three sons. While raising her three sons, she worked at H&R Block for a few years in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Irene enjoyed traveling with her husband, having been to Canada, Israel, and Europe
many times. Irene is survived by: her husband, Edwin Lawson; two sons: Robert George Lawson, of Fredonia, New York and David Allan Lawson of New Milford, Connecticut; two grandchildren: Jennifer Ashley Lawson and Benjamin Alexander Lawson. Also survived by her daughter-in-law, Lisa Bagby Lawson, also of New Milford, Connecticut. She is predeceased by her parents, George and Florence Kentner and a son, Douglas Edwin Lawson.
At Irene’s request, her body will be donated to the State University of New York at Buffalo-School of Medicine. A private service will be held at a later date. David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home
assisting the family with the arrangements.