Rosalind Lawrence

Rosalind, our beloved mother, passed away peacefully on October 13th after her 97-year journey that started in New York.  After meeting and marrying our father, Herb, they eventually moved to San Francisco's Russian Hill where her sons, Douglas and Matthew, were born.  Their 3rd son, Garrett, was born when they moved to the hills of Mill Valley where they lived in a beautiful home for the next 35 years.  All three of us felt her consistent love as we navigated the twists, turns and adventures of childhood.  

Our home in Mill Valley was also where mom and dad hosted many gatherings including the long-standing tradition of monthly live chamber music.   Dad played violin and was accompanied by highly accomplished musicians, some from the SF symphony.  At these events, there was a wonderful array of guests and fascinating conversations often sparked by mom's gift to interact and share her infectious laughter.  It was also here that mom and dad hosted many holiday meals with our extended families which provided a way for us all to connect and feel a greater sense of belonging.

After dad passed, mom moved back to the city and lived in a contemporary Pacific Heights apartment with spectacular views of the city and bay.  She loved looking at the dynamic cityscape as well as walking through the neighborhoods which inevitably included a chocolate desert along the way.  

Mom had a deep appreciation of culture and the arts and was deeply involved in the SF contemporary art scene exploring modern art in its many forms.  Her apartment showcased some unusual art pieces that demonstrated her ability to see beyond the conventional and helped us expand our visual senses and imaginations.  After 25 years, it was time to move into an assisted living situation and her clear choice was a home in Terra Linda with 5 other elderly woman and two live-in caregivers. She was truly happy in this environment and enjoyed consistent walks with her sons, which, true to form, also included a stop for some chocolate, particularly Rocky Road ice cream.

There is so much more to say about our mother, but it was extraordinarily clear to all of us that she loved family.  She loved seeing each of her sons marry wonderful and intelligent women and talking with her grandchildren.  So much of her focus was on the happiness of her family and almost every conversation was devoted to wanting to know how each of us was doing and what was new in our lives.  We felt her non-stop love and deep appreciation for each of us.  In this way, mom seemed to live her final years fully devoted to family and deriving deep gratification from each of our individual journeys.  We will miss her more than words can convey and will honor her love of family and care of others in ways we live our lives ahead.