Viola Lawler, 78, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 4, 2014.
She is survived by her husband George; six children, Lynn, Donna, Connie, Mike, Patty and Brendan; three siblings, Pat, Betty, and Walter; eight grandchildren; and six stepchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Frances.
Lawler was born June 9, 1935 in Holy Oak, Mass. As a depression baby, she learned the value of a dollar and the hard work required to earn it; something she passed onto her children. She also passed on her beauty, grace and strong will.
Lawler studied nursing, and in her role as a nurse, she met and later married Dr. Walter Hogan, with whom she had six children. She spent 30 years raising her family in Santa Barbara.
She always lit up a room and people naturally gravitated to her. She was friendly, had an infectious smile and quick wit. She was engaging and enchanting. She led a blessed life and chose to share those blessings by volunteering her time in helping others. She served meals to the poor and invited those without families to join her family for holiday meals.
She and her husband traveled to Mexico and China working in orphanages and helping the poor.
Her siblings encouraged her move to Vero Beach. In 2006, she married George Lawler, whom she had known for 50 years and who had cared for her throughout her valiant battle with Alzheimer’s. While it robbed her memory, she lives on in the memories of all who knew and loved her.
Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m., on March 7, at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Mass will be held at 10 a.m., on March 8, at St. John of the Cross, Vero Beach and a celebration of her life will be in Santa Barbara at the Mount Carmel Church at a later date. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
