Lois Mae Lawson, 80, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 18, 2012, in Coeur d’Alene. Lois was born to Lima Mae Noe (Copley) and Charles Grothie Noe on Dec. 7, 1932, in Huntington, W.Va.

Lois married Donald Franklin Lawson in 1952; they were married for 48 years before his death in 2001.

Don and Lois enjoyed adventure and lived in several parts of the country before settling in the Pacific Northwest. They lived in Toledo, Ohio; Charlevoix, Mich.; Opportunity, Wash.; Bonners Ferry; Tucson, Ariz.; and, finally, in Rathdrum.

Throughout her life, Lois held a variety of jobs. Lois worked as a fashion and makeup model, a dance instructor, a high-end ladies boutique salesperson, and as a physician’s assistant before marriage. She studied to be a nurse but gave that up when she married Don. She was voted “Miss Navy” and “Miss Reserved Officers.” Lois was a talented artist; she taught painting classes in Bonners Ferry and Tucson. She loved music, theater, bowling and playing cards. Lois played the piano and the organ and she loved to sing. As a child she sang gospel music on the radio, and later as an adult she sang gospel duos with her husband in church and on the radio. She enjoyed laughter and the company of family and friends.

Always ready to blaze a trail, Lois was the first woman in her family to learn to drive a car, to roller skate and to go bowling. She went on to win the Coeur d’Alene City Bowling Championship three times.

Lois’ grandchildren have fond memories of their Granny Lois baking them cookies and sharing her love of art with them.

Lois is survived by her children, Buzz (Frances), Bub (Michelle), Jim and Limell’ (Catherine); and her grandchildren, Bethany (Josh), Cole, Courtney, Sydney and Alex; as well as her great-granddaughter, Sophia. Her sister, Annie Mansbach, lives in Kentucky.

A celebration of Lois’ life was held Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d’Alene. Lois loved red roses and yellow carnations; roses were her favorite flower and carnations were Don’s. In honor of her loving memory, both flowers were abundant at her service.