Tina Marie Lawson, known affectionately to all as Tina, embarked on her final grand adventure on April 10, 2025, leaving a legacy of laughter and love. Born on February 16, 1957, in Rittman, Ohio, Tina’s zest for life never dimmed, even as she drew her last breath at home in Topeka, KS, after a valiant battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS.
A graduate of Shawnee Mission East, Tina parlayed her diploma into a vibrant career in retail, where she was cherished by both co-workers and customers for her infectious humor and selfless service. She was the life of the sales floor, always ready with a quip to brighten a dull day or a helping hand when the going got tough.
Tina’s personal life was a rich tapestry of relationships and hobbies. Her husband, John Earl Lawson, and son, Michael Dee Lawson, predeceased her, but their shared memories of silent film festivals and Godzilla movie marathons would forever be recounted with a chuckle and a smile. Her mother, Josephine Eva Spicer, father, Clifford Harold Greene, sister-in-law Vickie Diane George, and sister-in-law Susan June Lawson also preceded her in passing, each leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Heather Marie Lawson and son-in-law Shawn David Wilcox, her brothers Jim Greene, Steven Greene and sister-in-law Janene Greene. Tina was the proud matriarch of nine grandchildren, including Megan Marie Olson and her wife Katlyn Othelia Olson, Draven Alexander Grosfield, Drake Xavier Grosfield, Stryker James Grosfield, Haizleigh Kay Milner, Civic Kyson Milner, and Travis Lee Wilcox, each of whom inherited her sparkling wit and boundless generosity.
Tina’s love was the glue that held together a vast network of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. They all knew that an afternoon with Aunt Tina meant endless memories, stories and perhaps a practical joke or two.
Her interests were as eclectic as her sense of humor. A movie buff through and through, Tina relished taking her grandkids to the latest flicks, ensuring that the popcorn was plentiful and the laughs were even more so. She held a special place in her heart for old musicals, which she watched with a twinkle in her eye, often bursting into song or dancing around her living room at the drop of a hat.
Tina’s hands were rarely still, as she was a master of crochet, leaving a trail of beautiful creations in her wake. Her Topeka Crochet & Knit Guild sisters knew her as the life of the party, always ready with a joke and plenty of stories to lighten the mood while their hooks danced through yarn. Her generosity knew no bounds, as she donated countless pieces to those in need, her heart and soul woven into every stitch.
A green thumb was one of Tina’s many talents, and she could coax life from the most stubborn of plants. Her garden was a testament to her nurturing spirit, and she took great joy in feeding the local stray kitties, birds and squirrels, much to the delight of her grandchildren, who would watch in glee as the animals flocked to her backyard buffet.
Tina was, in a word, unforgettable. She was the embodiment of loving, with a laugh that could light up a room, and a selflessness that saw her always putting others first. Her humor was her hallmark, a gentle, ever-present reminder of the joy to be found in every day.
As we bid farewell to Tina, let’s remember that her life was a comedy, not a tragedy. She’d want us to laugh in her memory, to share a funny story, and to find joy in the small things. Her curtain has closed, but the encore of her influence will play on in the hearts of those she loved. Tina Marie Lawson, you were one of a kind, and we are all the better for having shared your stage. Curtain call, Tina, take your well-earned bow.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM, Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS.
