Anne Whipple Lawson

Anne Whipple Lawson, 93, passed away peacefully in Westford, Massachusetts on August 27th with her three children by her side. Born in Winthrop, MA on December 31, 1931, she grew up in Andover then moved with her family to North Andover at age 12.

Anne graduated from Johnson High School in North Andover and went on to study Psychology at Tufts College, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1953. During her years in high school and college, Anne played basketball, swam for the swim team and sung in the chorus.

Soon after college, Anne ventured out to San Francisco on her own and got a job working for an employment agency which she very much enjoyed. She eventually met and married Bill Nelson with whom she had her three children – Lynn, Laurie and Lance. Anne and Bill enjoyed being active with their children hiking, biking and swimming. They also spent many summer weekends at their family vacation home in Santa Cruz.

After 10 years of marriage, she and Bill divorced. Anne then pursued and became an elementary school teacher. In 1970 Anne and her children moved back to Massachusetts to be closer to her family. She taught in Methuen until she met and married her second husband, Del Lawson in 1972. Anne and her three children moved into his home in Wakefield, MA.

Anne and Del eventually retired to Harwich Port on Cape Cod, where she lived for nearly 34 years. Their home was near a beach where she enjoyed many summer days sitting with friends and family and swimming in the ocean waves.

Anne had many interests over the years including playing tennis, swimming, reading, gardening, playing bridge and singing. She was an avid reader and was always complimented on having such a beautiful singing voice. All her life, Anne was a devout Episcopalian and an active member of her church.

Anne spent the last almost 12 years of her life living at Bridges by Epoch, a memory care facility in Westford, MA. Bridges had an amazingly caring staff and offered a variety of wonderful activities that greatly enriched the quality of her life.

Anne was the cherished mother of her three children, Lynn Gomes of North Reading, MA, Laurie Martin, her husband Steve, of Nashua, NH and Lance Nelson, his wife Michelle, of Overland Park, KS. Also step-mother of Susan Ogburn, her husband Paul, of Long Island. Anne was the loving grandmother of Bill Gomes, his wife Olivia, David Martin, his wife Nicole, Julie Martin, her fiancé David O’Connell, Emma and Sophia Nelson and Eric Ogburn and great-grandmother of Charlotte Ogburn. Anne is survived by her brother, James Whipple of Maine and was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Bessie Whipple, her brother, Gray Whipple of Methuen and both her husband, Del and former husband, Bill.

Anne will be remembered for her kind heart and selfless nature. She had a gift for making lasting friendships through all phases of her life. Anne was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

Relatives and friends are invited to Anne’s Celebration of Life on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 4 PM until 7 PM at the WESTFORD HEALY FUNERAL HOME, 57 N Main Street, Westford. Her funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 10 AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Westford. Burial to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.