Cynthia "Cynie" Lawrence

Cynthia (nee Hood) Lawrence, lovingly known as Cynie, passed away September 15, 2026, at 100 years old at St. Monica’s Senior Living, surrounded by her children and family.

Born on March 18,1926 in Racine to J. Vincent and Marion Hood, Cynie was raised, alongside her two sisters and brother, in a home filled with whimsy, joy, and love. She reminisced that while growing up on Sunday afternoons, she and her siblings were allowed to invite as many friends and neighbors as they liked for a dinner of grilled cheese, orange jello, and homemade chocolate cake. This spirit of loving hospitality would be something she carried on throughout her life. She attended Winslow Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and graduated from Washington Park High School in 1944. During World War II, Cynie supported the war effort wrapping parts for tanks at Massy-Harris Company.

What started out as a blind date with Joseph (Joe) A. Lawrence Jr. led to 68 years of love and companionship that lasted until Joe’s death in 2012. Cynie and Joe were married on March 8,1947 at DeKoven Chapel in Racine. They stayed in Racine where they raised their four children. While her children were young, Cynie stayed home to care for them and created a home that was a place of welcome for their friends and neighbors. Every Labor Day, they enjoyed an annual camping outing at the Girl Scout’s Camp Singing Hills with eight other families. Cynie was also a member of the Junior League of Racine, and a monthly bridge group. Cynie and Joe were a mainstay on Monument Square as proprietors of Jos. Lawrence Inc. where Cynie eventually took on a more active role and opened the women’s boutique, The Country Touch.

In 1974, they moved to Browns Lake in Burlington, WI, where they converted Joe’s family cottage into a year-round home. This house – and the warmth, hospitality, and love she and Joe poured into it – would become their family’s ‘happy place.’ Three of their four children were married there, and it served as a gathering place for their family and innumerable friends - complete with good food, Joe’s signature whisky sours, and good conversation. Summer was a particularly magical season where Cynie spent her days watching her grandchildren swim, play, and boat; reading on her patio with her lunch of iced tea and crackers; gardening in the mornings; taking sunset pontoon boat rides; enjoying happy hour on the patio, and hosting the 30+ family members who may show up for dinner. Each year, Cynie and Joe hosted a Venetian Night party on their pontoon boat and also entertained the Saints and Sinners group from their church, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. Cynie competed in weekly women’s sailboat races with her dear friend, Jacquie Rueter.

For over 20 years, Cynie and Joe spent 3 winter months in Tucson, Arizona where they enjoyed the AZ sun, family who lived there, and other Racine snowbirds.

In 2004, Cynie and Joe moved back to Racine where they enjoyed an active social life: attending summer concerts at the zoo; enjoying their weekly breakfast group at Cliff’s Boathouse; and attending Wisconsin football games. After Joe’s death in 2012, Cynie continued to host happy hours with condo friends, entertain family during holidays and summer visits, and joined friends weekly at local restaurants as a member of the Taco Belles. She took great joy in cheering on the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. In 2022, Cynie moved to St. Monica’s Senior Living where she was lovingly and supportingly cared for by their amazing staff, too numerous to mention by name. She was also grateful for the concern and compassion she received from Kelly at Arise Physical Therapy, and Danielle and Chaplain Eloy at St. Croix Hospice.

Above all else, Cynie’s life was marked by her deep and unconditional love for people – for her family, her friends, and those who were lucky enough to know her. This is her legacy. When talking about her large family, Cynie often joked that there wasn’t a “bad one in the bunch.” She loved her children and grandchildren’s spouses as she did her own. As the Lawrence family matriarch, she was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Cynie is loved by her children: Joseph (Bonnie Bellehumeur) Lawrence III, ; Lynn (Robert) Snyder; Patty Sullivan; Marc (Lilly) Lawrence; her grandchildren: Lisa (Steve) Thomas; Kim (Mark) Holman; Erin (Brian) Beres; Carly (Nick) Arnold; Kristen (Dan) Stoner; Lindsay (Kyle) Wormser; Megan (Josh) Goodman; Patrick (Sarah) Sullivan; Annie (Adam) Reesman: Mark (Allison) Sullivan; Tim (Claire) Sullivan; Kevin (Lauren) Lawrence; Brooke (Collin) Leatherman, 25 great-grandchildren; nieces & nephews; and brother-in-law, Thomas Sherman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, J. Vincent and Marion Hood; husband, Joseph A. Lawrence Jr.; daughter-in-law, Barbara Lawrence; son-in-law, Robert Sullivan III; great-grandson, Kevin Thomas: sisters, Sally McGaughey and Diana Sherman; and brother, Tom Hood.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cynie’s memory to St. Monica’s Senior Living, 3920 North Green Bay Road, Racine, Wisconsin 53404, or The DeKoven Center, 2000 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403.