Mary Qualey (Schofield) Lawson: Mary Dorothy Qualey was born on a winter's day in Lowell, Massachusetts in December 1947. As those who knew her well can attest, her presence was felt like a soothing calm. Her smile could lighten a room where no lights were lit and her laugh could warm a home. Mary was generous in spirit, quick with a witty retort and carried a child-like optimism and sense of wonder that are lost on so many as we age. Her life was not short on challenges, yet she held no grudges, believing instead that each experience brought with it even the thinnest thread of silver lining. Whatever Mary did, she did passionately and with love. Whether it be raising her beloved daughters Erin, Kellie, Shauna and Meghan, or welcoming her precious grandchildren, Trey and Tommy, into this world, she lived life fully. When she departed this world on April 7, 2020, she left behind a lifetime of cherished memories with many friends and family and bestowed upon her daughters the gifts of grace, humor, tenacity and unwavering unconditional love.

Mary was predeceased by her mother, Dorothy (Reardon) Qualey, father Francis Qualey, devoted husband of thirty-five years, Thomas Schofield and nephews Brendan Donovan and Nicholas Tesh.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Dr. Russell C. Lawson, with whom she shared seven of the happiest years of her life and their dog, Boo. Mary is also survived by daughters Erin Schofield and partner Anthony Vozella of Chelsea, Mass., Kellie Schofield and partner Jesse Caron and granddaughter Kayli Caron of Newburyport, Mass., Meghan Schofield-Wolfe and husband Thomas of Newburyport, Mass & Brooklyn, New York, and Shauna Glazebrook and husband Jack of Newbury, Mass. Mary also leaves behind her two cherished grandchildren (and favorite people on the planet), Trey and Tommy Glazebrook.

Also surviving Mary are her siblings: Paula and Bob Sorce of New Jersey, Catherine Donovan of Kingston, New Hampshire, Marcia and Roger Dufresne of Derry, New Hampshire and Frank and Susan Qualey of Manchester, NH as well as nieces and nephews, Nikki Withrow, Colin Donovan, Laura Sorce-Weinstock and Jay Sorce and their loving families. Additionally, Mary leaves behind her son-in-law Russell C. Lawson III and partner Alicia McFarlin of Ava, Missouri and sister-in-law Cherie and husband Kevin Ayer of Ayer, Mass. We would be remiss to not mention the "Honorary Schofields" for whom Mary so lovingly and naturally became a second mother figure: Lisa Noyes, Tara DellaCroce and the countless neighborhood kids she took under her devoted wing.

Due to the unfortunate state of the world, immediate services for Mary will be private.
A celebration of her life will follow in late summer.