In Loving Memory of
Julie Lawrence
(1946–2023)
It is with deep love and gentle sadness that we share the passing of Julie Lawrence, who left us peacefully on 17th October 2023, aged 77.
Born in Brighton in 1946, Julie was the kind of person who quietly shaped the lives around her. A devoted mother, spirited grandmother, loyal friend, and the warm heart of every room, she was loved deeply and will be missed endlessly.
Julie trained as a nurse in the 1960s, caring for others with compassion, humour, and an unshakeable calm. She married David in 1974, and together they built a home full of laughter, fresh-baked scones, and slightly too many houseplants. She raised two children with patience and pride, and became the sort of grandmother children dream of — playful, thoughtful, and always ready with a bedtime story or a secret chocolate stash.
She loved crossword puzzles, late-afternoon gardening, and Abba’s “Dancing Queen.” Her roast potatoes were the stuff of family legend. She could never quite remember how to send a text, but she never forgot a birthday.
Julie believed in kindness, in keeping things simple, and in finding joy in small things: a walk by the sea, a good book, a warm hand to hold.
She leaves behind a family who adored her, a garden that will miss her care, and a legacy that will bloom in every life she touched.
Her story — like her love — lives on.
May she rest peacefully.
“She never needed the spotlight - but she lit up every room.”
— David Stephen Lawrence (Husband)
Lovely Little Facts
Tea or coffee? - Tea. Strong, no sugar, in her favourite blue mug.
Early bird or night owl? - Early bird — she liked to see the sunrise from her kitchen window.
Sweet or savoury? - Sweet. She never said no to a slice of Victoria sponge.
Cats or dogs? - Dogs. Especially spaniels with “soppy eyes.”
Seaside or countryside? - Seaside. Brighton born and bred.
Introvert or extrovert? - Introvert with a brilliant sense of humour once she warmed up.
Signature dish or takeaway order? - Sunday roast with crispy potatoes and homemade apple crumble.
One word she used all the time? - “Lovely.” (Usually said three times in a row.)
Something she always carried with her? - A mini sewing kit and a Werther’s Original.
If she could meet anyone from history, who would it be? - Beatrix Potter — “She seemed sensible, curious, and liked rabbits.”
“Mrs. Lawrence was like a second mum to me growing up. Her door was always open, and so was the biscuit tin.”
— Ben Taylor (Neighbour))
A Life in Pictures
“Julie had this way of making everyone feel seen — like you were the only person in the world that mattered in that moment.”
— Sarah Lawrence (Daughter)
Life Timeline
“Aunt Julie made the best roast dinners and gave even better advice. She taught me how to knit and how to trust my gut.”
— Amelia Rhodes (Niece)
A few of my Favourite Things
Favourite meal?
Sunday lunch — roast lamb, mint sauce, and Yorkshire puddings “even if it’s not beef.”
Favourite drink?
Proper English tea, strong, with a splash of milk and a biscuit on the side.
Favourite colour?
Duck-egg blue — “Calming, like a quiet sky.”
Favourite song?
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA — always made her smile, no matter what.
Favourite smell?
Freshly baked bread or lavender from the garden.
Favourite place to relax?
Her conservatory with a cup of tea, looking out at the roses.
Favourite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - A timeless classic — witty, romantic, and grounded. Julie admired Elizabeth Bennet’s strength and charm.
Favourite dessert?
Treacle tart with custard — “Not cream. Custard.”
Favourite season?
Spring — new beginnings, baby birds, and the garden waking up.
Favourite item of clothing?
Her old grey cardigan with elbow patches — “Nothing fits like that one.”
Favourite quote or saying?
"It'll all come out in the wash."
Favourite film?
“The Sound of Music” — she knew all the words to Edelweiss.
Favourite shop?
Marks & Spencer — especially the food hall and their jumpers.
Favourite type of weather?
Crisp autumn mornings — scarf on, boots on, and the smell of chimney smoke.
“Aunt Julie made the best roast dinners and gave even better advice. She taught me how to knit and how to trust my gut.”
— Amelia Rhodes (Niece)
Memory Maps
Brighton Seafront, East Sussex
Her hometown and lifelong favourite escape.
Julie loved walking the promenade with an ice cream in hand, always stopping to watch the waves roll in — rain or shine.
St. Ives, Cornwall
Her go-to holiday spot.
She visited nearly every summer with David and the kids. The golden beaches, tiny galleries, and cream teas were her idea of bliss.
Kew Gardens, London
Her quiet joy.
A place she loved to wander for hours, notebook in hand, scribbling names of flowers and watching the world slow down.
Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
The most magical view she ever woke up to.
Julie adored the stunning lake and mountain scenery — she’d sit for hours with a flat white in hand, watching the light change over Lake Wakatipu.
“She had a garden full of flowers, a kitchen full of smells, and a heart full of warmth. That’s how I’ll always remember her.”
— Joanna Miles (Lifelong friend)
A Final Word
Thank you for taking the time to remember Julie.
Her kindness, her laughter, and her quiet strength touched the lives of everyone who knew her — and even now, her story continues through the memories we share, the lessons she left behind, and the love she gave so freely.
Though she may be gone from our sight, she will never be gone from our hearts.
Forever remembered. Forever loved.
www.legacy-stones.com