Lawrence, Helen Janet (Shaw)

Born at home on August 11, 1944 in Eldora, New Jersey, Helen was eight of ten children Of Harry and Lolo (Finley) Shaw.  Raised and educated in Cape May County, she left home at age 17 and made a life for herself in the city of Milwaukee where she worked for Bell Telephone as a switchboard operator.  She also modeled for style artists at hairstyle shows in the early 1960’s of big hairdos.  After her marriage she and her husband owned and operated a manufacturing business for many years until their divorce.

      She made her home in Miami and Pennsylvania for some time before returning to South Jersey’s.  Helen loved to read and was a talented writer and although never published, she received many accolades for her work.  A member of the Light House Church, Helen was a strong, determined women who loved her family intensely and practiced her faith in everyday life.  She never stopped praying for her son who sadly estranged himself from the family so many years ago.  Helen “Mamom”, is profoundly missed by her daughters Tammie Bratini (Tuscaloosa, AL), Emmy Snyder (Wildwood), and her adopted daughter Marty Allen (Tuscaloosa, AL), grandsons George( “Billy”) Snyder (Wildwood), and Alex Nelson ( California), her great granddaughter Roxana Nelson (California) and her granddaughter Tamar Helenna Snyder (Wildwood), with who she was particularly close.  Helen will also be dearly missed by all her extended family and friends in Alabama where she briefly lived.