Irene Letha Gross died peacefully at home on September 1, 2020. She was the fourth of five children born to the late Walter Lawrence and Charity Mason Lawrence on April 1, 1923, in Valley Lee, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Catherine Cutchember and Jeanette Dyson and brothers, Leroy and Joseph Lawrence. Irene married Thomas Irving Gross Sr. on September 13, 1953. Together they celebrated 30 years of marriage before his death in June 1984. She was preceded in death by her children; Gilbert Francis Lawrence, Geraldine Adele Gross, and Thomas Irving Gross Jr. all in 2008 and Steven Robert Gross. and grandchildren; Marcell and Mecell Lawrence and Wayne Lawrence II.Irene was a housewife and loved raising her children. She always ensured her home was clean. Her visitors were welcomed with an offer of something to drink or eat. Irene appreciated the daily and weekly phone calls with family and friends even if it was just to know they were ok.
Irene was a longstanding member of St. George Catholic Church and attended Sunday morning mass until her health declined. She cherished her visits from Father Paul and treated him like a son. Irene enjoyed seeing her children together especially for Sunday dinners. She relished eating big meals and her food HAD to be well done. She looked forward to wrapping pennies her children brought on visits. Her favorite spot was sitting in her bedroom rocking chair in front of her window with her word search book and her little heater. Irene always had a positive attitude and never complained even during her dialysis center visits where she made many friends. Irene leaves to cherish her memory her children, Mack Bernard Lawrence Sr. (Alice) of Waldorf, MD; David Aloysius Lawrence (Karen) of Willingboro, NJ; Theresa Cecelia Lawrence of Piney Point, MD; Gloria Marie Church of Waldorf, MD; Donald Walter Gross (Shirley) of Mechanicsville, MD; Charlotte Ann Gross and Ida May Gross of Piney Point, MD; Steven Robert Gross II and James Emanuel Gross (Linda) of California, MD; and Wayne Levi Lawrence of Cumberland, MD. She is survived by 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren. She also leaves to cherish her memory her special friends Helen Abell, Jeremiah Cutchember, Lucille Lawrence, Bud and Betty Harp and Robin Johnson (and her sidekick Kayden Thompson), and a host of other relatives and friends.. Visitation will begin at 10 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at St. George’s Catholic Church, 19199 St. George’s Church Road, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.
To the Gross and Lawrence families: our thoughts and prayers go out to you on the loss of your mother and grandmother. Miss Irene was a wonderful mother and a delightful person. The memories you have will keep her spirit alive. May God’s tender love and care surround you with His comfort and peace during this difficult time.
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.