HUDSON FALLS – Agnes Clara “Sweety” Fahlmann Lawrence, 92, passed away on July 27, 2014, at Glens Falls hospital after a battle with shingles of the head, which led to pneumonia.
Agnes, known as Sweety by family and many friends, was born on December 18, 1921. She was the daughter of John and Katherine Fahlmann, both deceased. She graduated from South Glens Falls High School in 1940. Agnes worked for Sterling Jewelry in Glens Falls until her marriage to Philip Lawrence on February 7, 1943 in St. Mary’s Church in Glens Falls.
During World War II, both were employed at Wright Aeronautical Company in Paterson, New Jersey. In 1947 they moved to Hudson Falls, New York. Philip passed away on January 3, 1996, after 53 happy years of marriage. Agnes worked for 29 years for Pearl’s Department Store in Glens Falls, then nine years as cook and cashier for the Hudson Falls School System. She also spent some years as a realtor for Sunglow Realty.
Agnes was busy with cub scouts where she was a den mother and later active with the Boy Scouts and Little League, as her sons were involved in all. She was a very active communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls. Her involvements included lector, greeter, Eucharistic minister, counter, nursing home communion service provider, home-bound visitor, the Martha’s, and she taught religious education for many years.
Agnes was a member of St. Anne’s Sodality at St. Paul’s church and Rosary Altar Society at St. Mary’s / St. Paul’s, where she held many offices.
At St. Mary’s St. Paul’s she was in charge of the raffle table at the annual bazaar, and she was a former member of the Catholic Daughter’s of America Court Matre Dei 1442 until it was disbanded. She then joined the Fort Edward CDA Court Morrissey #1477. Agnes was an active member of the Hudson Falls Business and Professional Women’s Club for 30 years. In 1994 the club named her “Woman of the Year”.
Agnes was also active in the Fort Edward Historical Association, Cease, Hudson Falls/Fort Edward AARP, Feeder Canal Alliance, 60-Plus Seniors, Moreau Community Center, Queensbury Seniors, Sandy Hill Days Committee, and a volunteer for Hometown Thanksgiving Dinner, Festival of Trees, Prospect School Telethon, Red Cross and Tri-County United Way.
Agnes enjoyed time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and with her many friends. She enjoyed participating in church and community organizations, as well as gardening, reading, camping, playing cards with her card group, and dining with the Breakfast Club.
Many have asked where did she ever find the time to be so active in all of the things she did?
Above all, her “boys”, those being, Phil her husband, and her sons, Philip, and John, were the pride and joy of her life.
In addition to her parents and husband, Agnes was predeceased by her five brothers, John, Joseph, Carl, Gabriel, and Edward Fahlmann, and two sisters, Elizabeth Roberts and Katherine Fahlmann.
She is survived by her two sons, Philip Lawrence and wife, Brenda, of Brighton, Michigan, and John Lawrence, and partner Carol Strasser, of Hudson Falls and Glens Falls; 8 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls.
The Rosary Altar Society of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church will meet at 6:45 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home to pay their respects. Fort Edward CDA Court Morrissey #1477 will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home to pay their respects.
A Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, on the park, in Hudson Falls with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, pastor officiating.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Burgoyne Avenue in the Town of Fort Edward,
The boys thank her many friends who visited with her over the last few weeks.
In lieu of flowers’ donations may be made in her name to the Charles R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital, 100 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Thank you Aunt Sweety for who you were. I never understood whythey called you “Sweety” but whoever nicknamed you, did it well. I was grateful for time we spent during my last visit with my family and grateful for all you meant to me as a little girl. What you imparted to me as a child stayed with me and directed my life beyond what you could believe. I will miss you, but will see you again. God Bless!!!