Stella Ann Lawrence

Stella Ann (Triggiano) Lawrence, 88, passed away at Ascension All Saints while recovering from a stroke. She lived a long, beautiful life surrounded by friends and family who loved her deeply.

The daughter of Italian immigrants, Stella was born in Racine on July 13th, 1935, the second born and only daughter of the late Stefano and Grace (Cavallo) Triggiano.

Stella attended St. Joseph’s grade school and then attended St. Catherine’s High School, graduating in 1953. A proud alumna, her children and some of her grandchildren would later attend, both schools.

After high school she worked various jobs until she attended college in 1957, at Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee.

After graduating, she worked as a secretary at Walker Manufacturing, Oster Manufacturing, and the intelligence division of the IRS, until finally settling down at t S.C. Johnson in the International Division.

She married Thomas Alfred Lawrence in 1965, and after the birth of her first child, became a full-time mother…followed by becoming a mother to another…and then…another.

Seeking a respite from caring for three high energy children, she felt entering the workforce was exactly the break she needed. Stella worked at Sears for a short period before returning to S.C. Johnson in 1978 before finally retiring in 1999. Some believe that this selfless act may have prevented the Y2K disaster.

At her retirement party from S.C. Johnson, her friends and colleagues put together a ‘roast’, including Stella’s most famous/infamous quotes:

“Hey, I think I’m leaking!” when her plants were overwatered and leaking on her desk; and “I think I have a few screws loose” after finding screws under her computer.

Her retirement party also included a song sung to the tune of B-I-N-G-O, as this was truly one of her favorite pastimes with her friends. Whether that meant showing off her world-renowned daubing skills or the simple grace demonstrated at Potawatomie Casino with the infamous “One Thumb” method.

Favorite past times also included her multiple card clubs, her long standing High School Salmagundi Club and her Birthday Club.

Stella is survived by her children: Belinda (John Christensen) Lawrence, of Racine, Tim (Lisa) Lawrence, of Union Grove, Kelly (Chrissy) Lawrence, of Caledonia; grandchildren: Shawn (Robin Robbins) Costanzo, Tesa (Adam) Alby, Hailey Lawrence and Connor Lawrence, Jacob Christensen and Charles Christensen; great grandchildren: Fallon Costanzo and Althaea Alby; brother-in-law: Sebastian Muhl; sisters-in-law: Kathleen Ehlen, of Union Grove, and Elizabeth (Sis) Triggiano, of Milwaukee. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many, many, devoted friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Thomas Lawrence, brother Matthew Triggiano, sisters-in-law June (Lawrence) Ripp, Jan (Ferrill) Lawrence, Jeannine (Lawrence) Muhl, brothers-in-law Richard Ehlen, Donald Lawrence, and John (Jack) Ripp; niece Diana (Triggiano) Neibaur, great grandson Sawyer Alby and great nephew Max Neibaur.

A Memorial Mass will be held for Stella on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at 1:00PM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., Mt. Pleasant, WI 53406

Following Mass, a reception, Celebration of Life, and Bingo to be held at the Racine Moose Lodge (#437), 5530 Middle Rd. Racine, WI 53402

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to Service Dogs for Vets, St. Jude Children's research Hospital Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association, or St. Francis de Sales Seminary Scholarship Fund.