Mary Rose Lawyer

Mary Rose grew up on Coral Avenue off Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Ky. She attended St.
Francis of Rome School and Sacred Heart Academy. She was the youngest child of James G
Wood and Anna Mae McGraw Wood and preceded in death by her parents and by her brother
John Wood and her sister Lillian Wood Kaelin.
She married Alvin R. Lawyer who lived nearby in the neighborhood soon after his return from
active duty in the Pacific in WW2. Alvin preceded her death in 2013. The newlyweds lived their
first year with her Aunt Rose on Trevilian Way in Louisville. Then to their first home on
Grandview Ave, then Plymouth Rd, and on to Hillsboro Rd. all in St. Matthews as her family
grew to four children. Then later to Norbourne Estates, Anchorage, and finally the farm in
Brownsboro, Oldham County.
Her life’s mission was to have children, be a loving caring mother and a devoted wife and
partner to her husband. She succeeded. She never complained through many challenges and
lived by her own advice...”when feeling down or overwhelmed, do something kind for someone
else.” She was devoted to a few of her close childhood friends throughout her life.
A “city girl” until age 58, her biggest adventure may have been moving to the farm in
Brownsboro, KY in 1984. After selling their historic home Houston House, in Anchorage, KY,
with her husband they purchased a small used travel trailer, parked it on the farm to live in while
having their new home built in a secluded spot a mile back on the farm. As she always did so
well, she made a new home there creating many memories and traditions for us all.
She loved decorating her home and making a home. She loved food and cooking and tending
her own little flower garden off of her back deck, always included were tomatoes, lettuce and
spinach. She brightened each of us growing up playing beautiful piano, never having had a
lesson.
Mary Rose is survived by her four children: Linda Ann Lawyer (Chicago, IL), Susan Lee Lawyer
(Louisville, KY), David Alan Lawyer (NYC), and Lawrence Wood Lawyer (Fatima) (Brownsboro,
KY). 7 grandchildren; Brian Lenihan (Kathryn) and Michael Lenihan (Louisville,KY), Aaron
Lawyer (Ginger) (Nashville, TN), Rachael Kowalski (Brad) (Plano, TX), Nathaniel Lawyer (Molly)
(Tulsa, OK), Jessie Lawyer (Albert) (Jersey City, NJ), Lance Lawyer (Brownsboro, KY). 9 great
grandchildren, Ronin, Rory, Carter, Nolan, Graham, Adeline, Lochlan, Ellis, and Thomas
MacMillan. She had a special “surrogate” relationship with Jimbo Sims Thornton (Pittsburgh,
PA), son of her life long friend Suzanne Sims Thornton.
Mary Rose, mom, mother, grandmommy, greatgrandmommy....thank you for the life you have
given each of us. We love you. We will miss you so very much. But, are comforted knowing you
will always be with us.
Mary Rose Wood Lawyer will be buried Thursday, May 21 at a private graveside service
alongside her husband in the Harrod’s Creek Cemetery in Brownsboro, KY.
Thank you to so many of you who have shared how Mary Rose touched you in such a positive
way.

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