Elizabeth E. (Swezey) Lawry, 97, of Salem passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody. She was the wife of the late James Jefferson Lawry.
Born in Roxbury and raised in Danvers, she was the daughter of the late Oliver J. P. and Louise L. (Bean) Swezey. Over the years she had a varied career, beginning as a waitress and later as a sales clerk for Filene’s at the North Shore Mall. She later worked for Blue Cross / Blue Shield and retired from the company.
Elizabeth was devoted to her family and large extended family. She was a great fan of ballroom dancing and over the years has won prizes in competitive dancing.
She is survived by two daughters, Lila L. LaMalfa of Salem, Janice J. Stilwell and her husband John of Peabody, a brother Arthur Swezey of Florida and sister, Lila Morton of Georgia and daughter-in-law, Lorraine Gagne of Salem. She also leaves four grandchildren, Laura and Christina LaMalfa, Christine and Stacey Mistretta, Kimberly and Shane Jalbert, eight great-grandchildren, Brittany, Daniel, Joseph, Dylan, Anthony, Nathaniel, Samuel and Abby, a great-great grandson Julian, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sons Benjamin Cunningham and James Lawry, and son in law, Joseph LaMalfa.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visiting hour on Thursday, April 28th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem. Her funeral service will be on Friday at 10:00 AM, in the funeral home, followed by burial in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Brudnick Center for Living, Residents’ Activities Fund, 240 Lynnfield St, Peabody, MA 01960. For additional information and guestbook please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com