Caroline May Lawson

Caroline M. Lawson (Gares), 87, of Jacksonville Florida, passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, and person that lived a long loving life. She was married for 48 years to the love of her life, Francis “Frank” Lawson, who passed in July 2000. Born in Aquetong Pennsylvania on September 17, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Lillian (Samsel) Gares.

Carol was a 1952 graduate of North Hunterdon Regional High School, Annandale, New Jersey where she was a standout on the field hockey team. As a military wife she traveled throughout the US and Europe with her husband Frank, and they retired to Florida in 1986. Caroline was known as Mom-mom to her family and more than anything enjoyed spending time with her large family.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Davis of Clay Hill and Deborah Lawson of Jacksonville, and her son Frank Lawson of Solebury, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Kristi Sheppard, Carly Netherland, Ashley Smith, Mark Davis, Shane Lawson, Joseph Lawson, Julia Lawson, and Megan Lawson. The family also included eight great grandchildren; Sara, Jennifer, Nate, Chloe, Briar, Bailey, Uriah, and Kyle; and two great-great grandchildren Camden and Carter.

She was the eldest of twelve children, survived by brothers; Fred Gares of Three Bridges, NJ; Harold (wife Jane) of Chester, NJ; William “Bill” of Asbury, NJ; Thomas "Tim," (wife Shirley) of Kissimmee, FL; sister Wanda Pierson (husband Kirk), of Columbia, and brother-in-law Don Andes (wife Patricia) of Danville, PA, Tina Gares (husband Dave), and Howard (companion of Edna Gares). She was preceded in death by brothers Lawrence "Sam" Gares of Asbury, NJ and Howard “Dave” Gares of Lebanon, PA; and sisters Mary Davenport of Hilton Head, SC, Shirley Nonnemacher of Flemington, NJ, Edna Kirby of Berwick, PA, Patricia Andes of Danville, PA, and sister in-laws Dot Gares (husband Sam Gares), “little” Dot (husband Fred Gares), and Elaine (husband Bill Gares). She has many more nieces and nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday August 14th from 11-2 at her home in Jacksonville and at a later date in September at her sons’ home in Solebury Pennsylvania. Inurnment will be at the Mechanicsville Pennsylvania Cemetery.
 

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