Virginia Lawrence went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at Brookview Nursing, in Gaffney, SC.

Virginia was retired and living with her husband Wesley (deceased Aug. 15, 2009). Formerly from Hawley, they moved to Gaffney, SC, to live with her son.

Virginia was born in New York City on  July 13, 1930, the third child of Mary Witmore (Austin) and Edmund Petena. Her brother Ed Petena and Pauline Lopatosky are deceased.

Virginia moved to the Damascus area with her family, where they operated a boarding house.  She was a guard on the Damascus Women’s Basketball Team 1949 with a 17-0 winning record.  She graduated from Damascus High in 1949.

Virginia’s (Jean’s) activities closely followed Wesley (Robert) in hunting, Boy Scout’s,  Skiing at Tanglewood, and as a member of Cricket Hill Golf Club in Hawley.

Virginia is survived by her: son Robert and spouse Virginie and grand children Chloe and Dylan in Kercadio, France; son Daniel and spouse Marilu and grandchild Russell in Gaffney, SC; daughter Dawn in Lebanon; son Scott in Scranton; and son Patrick and spouse Michelle in Greenfield Center, NY.

Virginia thought often of her friends and family in Pennsylvania and New York, including her sister’s children, Dave, John, Linda, and Ellen.

A mass for her blessing will be held at 11 am on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gaffney, SC.