Barb Lawry

A warrior has fallen. Mrs. Barbara Ann Lawry, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, at the age of 57.

Barb was born to parents, Warren and Grace Sather, on June 14, 1958, in Warrenville, Ill. She grew up the youngest of three siblings and graduated from St. Francis High School. She married Robin Lawry on April 13, 1996; he was the love of her life.

She is survived by three children: eldest Jason Pitstick, of Ottawa, Angie Mayo, of Arlington, Va., and Brad Lawry, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and three grandchildren, Jackson, Nicolas and Warren.

Barb's family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name; as she put it last year "so what I am asking you, my friends and family, is to help me raise money for children's cancer research." Donations can be made in her memory by going to stbaldricks.org/participants/barblawry.

Barb did not want to have a wake or funeral, but a celebration of life which will begin 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at Shoreline Boat Club in Ottawa.

Below is a personal note about Barb from her loving family:

"Barb Lawry is the world's best mother, a wonderful wife, loyal friend and a brilliant businesswoman. But she is also so much more than that. She is also the strongest, most tenacious person anyone knows. Barb Lawry is a warrior. She has over and over again demonstrated she doesn't have a victim's heart. She doesn't settle for the hand she is dealt, cries and feel sorry for herself. She always perseveres through her blood, sweat and tears to what she wants out of life and for her family. She uses what she is given and creates a new destiny through the storms of challenges that push her to her mental limits. Even in her battle with cancer she used that as a tool to help others through the 'Look Better Feel Better' program of which she would look at the silver lining and say: 'See if I hadn't gotten cancer then I wouldn't have been inspired to help these people.' She is the silver linings woman — in ANY SITUATION in life she finds a way to see the positive side. Even now I'm sure she is thinking while reading this: 'Wow; see if I hadn't have died this wouldn't have been written and I bet there are some people out there who will be inspired by it.' Ha ha, thanks, Mom. Even when we talked about how this might be the end she said 'thy will be done,' meaning she will find a way to help others from the other side and help cure cancer. Who does that??? BARB LAWRY, that's who!!! So if you are reading this and crying because you know Barb and you know that she is the best person you knew, don't cry for her. She is on the other side, and — as she put it — has never been happier or more at peace. This isn't the end for Barb Lawry, but it is a sad time for anyone who knew her."