Mary E. Lawthers

Mary was born on Sept. 11, 1941, in Waterloo, New York, and has resided in this area on and off for several years. She was the daughter of the late Paul and Emma Sorensen Birch. She had many different jobs throughout her life. This included Parish Secretary, Advertising for the Finger Lakes Times and Binghamton Press and worked in the library for the Greene School System.

Mary married her husband, the Rev. Robert Lawthers, on Feb. 20, 1976, and they were married until his death in 2011. She and her husband spent their years together in Geneva, Greene and retired in Lake Clear, New York. Together they both enjoyed arts, music, camping, canoeing, hiking and traveling the country. After her husband passed away, she relocated back to Geneva. She continued their passion of helping others by volunteering for many community organizations in local area. She devoted most of her life to the Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Geneva Rotary Club, where she served as president from 2019 to 2020 and was active with Geneva Reads and Historic Geneva.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Matt) Lewis, Cindy (Joe) Felice, Beth (John) Jones, Ann Lawthers (John Higgins), Connie Lawthers (Mac Collins), Marty Lawthers (Ed Mazdzer) and Peter Lawthers; 12 grandchildren, Josh (Liz), Nate, Mike (Becky), Amanda (Melissa) Katie (Cullen), Mady (Brady), Chris (Mara), Kate (Dalton), Sara (Stefan), Meg, Claire (John), and Ted; 10 great-grandchildren, Abby, Aria, Liam, Grady, Zoey, Emma, Tristen, Nico, Jack and Aleks; siblings Robert (Dot) Birch and Janet (Clark Beasley) Krell; sister-in-law Mary Kay Birch; special aunt June McFall Pontius; several nieces and nephews; and her very special Majeon friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Robert Lawthers; brothers Charles and James Birch; sister Dorothy Rapoza; and son-in-law Brian Dibble.

For those wishing to write a note of condolence, visit devaneybennettfh.com.

To honor Mary’s legacy, volunteer at a local organization or help someone in need that would warm her heart.

There will be no prior calling hours. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Snell Road, Geneva, with the Rev. Cameron Miller, of Trinity Place, officiating.

Burial will be in St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Cemetery at Paul Smiths at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Historic Geneva, Geneva Library or to Trinity Place.