NEWBURYPORT — Jean Lawrence Dyson, 89, was at home when she peacefully left her body to be with the Lord (2Cor5:8) on January 18, 2012. She had moved to Newburyport from CT in October 2010 to live with daughter Laurel and family.
She was born in Orange, NJ, April 3, 1922, to the late Arnette Royce Lawrence and Gladys Allen Lawrence. In 1955 she married John B. Dyson, who died in 1992. Mrs. Dyson attended Wilson College and graduated from Cedar Crest College. She worked as a secretary until she devoted herself to raising her family. When her husband retired in 1987, the couple moved from Madison, NJ, to East Falmouth, MA. In 2001, Mrs. Dyson moved to Ashlar Village in Wallingford, CT.
A naturally social person, Mrs. Dyson enjoyed making friends and writing letters to family members and former classmates. Speaking up for those who couldn't, she also wrote letters for Amnesty International. She enjoyed gardening and sharing her flowers. She sang in choirs throughout her life. Always a member of a local church, she found many ways to help her community, serving as secretary for committees, mentoring youth, and volunteering at a hospital.
She is survived by brother Kenneth Lawrence and wife Madeleine of FL; brother-in-law Henry Dyson and wife Joyce of CT; daughter Laurel Dyson Hanke and husband Timothy of Newburyport; son-in-law Clifford Porter and wife DeEtte of TX, grandsons Joshua Porter of TN, Seth Porter of IL, and Jack and Ben Hanke of Newburyport; and three generations of nieces and nephews. Especially close nieces were Anne DelCampo of CT and Judy Gara of ID. Predeceasing her were daughter Barbara Dyson Porter, sister Adelaide, and brother Richard. Also worthy of recognition are the several caregivers who have truly given from the heart.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Jan. 28 at South Church, New Britain, CT. Burial to follow at nearby Fairview Cemetery. Donations in her memory to the John Wesley U.M. Church, Falmouth, MA 02541, or The Y at Silver Bay, Silver Bay, NY 12874.


