Helen Marie (Stout) Lawrence

On October 17, 2024, this past Thursday Helen Marie Lawrence, what I and those that knew her would call the greatest of the greatest generation, was unable to keep the fire lit that has sustained her for almost 104 years; It was truly a fire. Her passion for life and family, a passion to do what was right and what she was told she could not or should not accomplish was limitless.

She grew up the third child and first girl to Dira and Winnie Stout (Zickafoose) in Nallen, West Virginia. Her father, a man that could make anything or fix anything, saw a career span from a blacksmith to a machinist to working on the Navy base in Dahlgren and retiring to King George, Va. It was from him that she learned what hard work, the spark of entrepreneurship and sacrifice for your family truly was. She said, “he never stopped”, when he got home, he would build something, fix something, harvest something, etc. Her mother, while raising six children, was a consummate homemaker, trusted neighbor, supportive sister and above all a duty-bound wife and mother. It was from her she learned how to be “the best short-order cook in the world” (this has been officially audited), how to run a household, how to banter and of course, how to love unconditionally.

This is certainly a cliché but “if we were poor, we didn’t know it”. With their desire to better themselves her parents were able to do better than most in their circumstances. Their tenacity, hard work and their extended family’s support saw them as one of the few landowners in Nallen, when most were in rented company houses. One of the few car owners when everyone else walked; 1936 Pontiac Chieftain. She remembered seeing both Wiley Post and Charles Lindbergh on their worldwide flights.

After a solid base much coming from her favorite flapper and teacher Aunt Lina Zickafoose, she graduated from Nuttall High School leaving with her diploma and her sweetheart, Chester Wayne Lawrence. They would run away in 1939 to get married only to realize that WVA would not let them get married at 18/19 so they drove over the border to Russell, Kentucky, told the preacher they were 21 and were married in his parsonage.

They would eventually move to Charleston, WV where she worked at the lunch counter at the Woolworth Five & Dime. She recalled the hustle and bustle of her first life in the “big city”. She remembered watching FDR drive through town in his convertible. She remembered carrying six hotdogs on one arm and dinner for 10 cents. Eventually, as many Americans in those years, they went to where the jobs were, leading them to Glen L Martin Co. in Middle River, MD where they both worked. They were given a trailer to use by her father-in-law that they often shared with sisters, brothers, friends, etc. While they were starting their lives in WV and Maryland, they hosted every family member and friend that asked and often loaned them money when she didn’t really have it to loan. Her first child, Barbara Gail, was born in 1943 during a trip back home to WV.

They eventually settled in Essex, MD and were entrepreneurs from the start. She was also a top salesman at Kay jewelry in Baltimore for years when there were no other female salespeople. She got into business with Arthur Godfrey and Pierre Salinger.  She was involved in everything from cosmetics, potato chips and security boxes to developing real estate and commercial leasing.

They built/remodeled houses on Catherine Avenue, Wampler Road and Wrights Lane in Baltimore County; so, involved that they dug wells, poured cement, put up walls, etc. Their first son and last child, Gary Lawrence, was born in 1957.

They started two laundromats, one on the corner next to the former Al’s seafood before buying the general store at Josenhan’s Corner on Old Eastern and Back River Neck Road and putting a laundromat and a liquor store in the building.

After losing their home to a fire in 1980 they gave the property to their son and custom built a waterfront townhome on Villa Capri Circle in Essex where she would host friends and family any day and any time. Her sister-in-law/best and best friend Marie “Bee Ree” Wingfield would be there almost every day for coffee and conversation.

During this time, they travelled the world their favorite being Mexico but also to Hawaii, and a trip on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth II. She lost Wayne in 1990 and even more heavily thrust herself into the role of grandmother.

Eventually moving to her condo in White Marsh at the young age 81 she held court with an open door, full coffee pot, even fuller fridge and a penchant for playing Canasta, Bridge and sparring with her grandson during Jeopardy.

She also became the oldest Meineke Car Care Center Franchisee in 2005 at the age of 85 which continued until she was 98.

She enjoyed being with her friends and family; cooking for them, giving them the benefit of her wisdom, and helping in whatever way possible.

She was the life-giving spark, the steadfast pillar, the kind word, the consuming hug, the warm food in your belly, the infectious smile, the twinkling eye, the smart quip, the better idea and the devilish laugh that kept so many people going for over a century.

She made you want to be better and to do better, she taught us how you should treat people, and she made you realize that you can do anything. She had your back before it was even a phrase. She was my compass and best friend even when we let her down. We are thankful for the brightness she left in the world, her humanity, and her unconditional love. The thoughtful and personal context she gave history. What she exuded, what she taught and what she did, even if I often fall short of her example, as this writing will fall short of her. We love you!

She is survived by her daughter Gail Lawrence and son Gary Lawrence (wife Debbie); Her grandchildren Jennifer Huseman in Frederick, twins Matthew (wife Molly) Huseman & Brandt (wife Jennifer) Huseman in Baltimore, Victoria Baron (husband James) in Brunswick, Steven Lawrence in York and Helen Maliszewski in York; Her great-grandchildren Gabriel Bern, Jacenty Milauskas, Michalec Milauskas, Zosia Milauskas, Elijah Bern, Dianna Maliszewski, Iris Maliszewski and Violet Baron.

Her younger siblings Margie Osborne in Bradenton, FL, Dira Stout in King George, VA & Robert Stout in Fredericksburg, VA.

Visitation Friday 6-8 pm at the CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME 1211 Chesaco Ave. and again on Saturday from 10 am – 12 noon with prayers to begin at 12 noon. Interment Private Cremation.

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