Judith M. (Harriman) Lawrence

JUDITH M. (HARRIMAN) LAWRENCE, 85 GRAY – Judith “Judy” M. Lawrence, 85, of Gray, Maine, passed away peacefully after a brief battle with throat cancer on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at her home in Gray surrounded by immediate family. Judy was born on November 22, 1939, in Rangeley, Maine, to Robert “Bob” and Merlin (Rowe) Moulton. She was the oldest of three girls and moved with her parents to the Deering Center area of Portland in 1941. She was a girl scout, member of the Central Square Baptist Church, and completed her education in the Portland Public Schools. After graduating with Deering High School’s class of 1957, Judy began working at the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company (NET&T) as a cord board telephone operator. Some of you may have reached her when dialing “0” as the operators at that time handled many services to include directory assistance and emergency calls. She was married to Manley H. Harriman for 10 years, gave birth to two children, Molly and Robert “Bob”, stayed home to raise them for some time but eventually returned to work at NET&T. When the work week was through, Judy enjoyed many years of spending her Saturday nights out dancing with a special group of friends and her then companion, Mike Palmerino. She was very involved with Mike’s family, especially his mother and his brother’s family, with whom she remained in touch. Judy ‘finally’ retired from the phone company at the young age of 58. She treasured every single day of retirement and highly recommended for everyone to do it as soon as they possibly could! In October of 2009, Judy married her sweetheart and long-time friend and partner William “Bill” Lawrence. Together they enjoyed many years of four-wheeling, taking scenic drives, and simply spending time together wherever they were. Not a day went past without several good stories, jokes, and hearty laughter with those two! Being surrounded by friends and family was their greatest pleasure of all. Bill predeceased her in May of 2018 after nearly nine years of marriage. Judy was very social and enjoyed being involved in her community. She was a member of The Telephone Pioneers of America, The Women’s Auxiliary of The Salvation Army, and The American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She and her dear friend Carol Malia held officer positions in both The Telephone Pioneers of America and The Salvation Army. Together, they orchestrated the annual Fabric Fair for many years to raise money for the Women’s Auxiliary of The Salvation Army as well as happily braved the weather to ring that familiar Salvation Army bell at Christmastime. Judy also loved to organize and participate in skits at the telephone company as well, where she famously portrayed Barbara Bush at one event. She had many interests, such as being an avid doll collector, seamstress, crafter, sketcher, and also ’pressing’, as she liked to call her ironing. She was fond of music, musicals, and tea time as well as being outdoors hiking, berry-picking, and swimming at the beach or lake with her family. Rangeley was always a special place for her, filled with memories of time with her grandparents and family through the years. She loved tending to her flower garden and in recent years playing cards with her dear friends, Pat and Roma- the ‘Three Musketeers’. Her grandchildren fondly remember her singing cheerful songs such as “You Are My Sunshine” and “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”. She both taught and truly embodied the golden rule of “Love One Another”. Judy’s greatest joy and proudest achievement was, in her words, “what I have created”, referring to her family. She was and forever will be, the Queen. Aside from her husband Bill, Judy was predeceased by her parents Bob and Merlin Moulton and her sister Mary Lou Moulton. Judy is survived by her sister Katherine G. Moulton of Cumberland, ME; daughter Molly (Harriman) Dentremont & partner Jack of Ocala, FL; son Robert “Bob” M. Harriman, Sr & wife Donna of Grand Isle, VT; granddaughters Sara N. Minnich & fiancé Mike of New Cumberland, PA, and Ashley R. D. Matthaeus & husband Alex of Gundelfingen, Germany; grandsons Scott M. Dentremont & wife Megan of Philadelphia, PA, Robert “Bobby” M. Harriman, Jr & fiancé Lindsay of West Chazy, NY, and Jason Jazayeri & fiancé Anna of Westfield, NJ; great- grandchildren Walter, Ella, Haley, and Bruno; niece Jennifer Greenlaw & family of Portland, ME; and her Aunt Carolynne Rowe Nash of Rumford, ME, as well as several cousins and cherished friends. Judy’s family wishes to recognize and thank the team at Hospice of Southern Maine for their outstanding care, support, and compassion during her final journey. A private graveside celebration of life service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland at a later date for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to: Maine Chapter of The American Cancer Society or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House

Judith M. (Harriman) Lawrence

November 22, 1939 - May 25, 2025