Anne Hunter Lawrence
Anne Hunter Lawrence, wife of Joe Roby and mother to Casey Roby, passed away at home in Seattle on Tuesday, March 18th. Anne was born on September 23, 1954 in Munich, Germany to Lt. General Richard Lawrence and Patsy Lawrence (nee Weise). Anne attended elementary and 
high schools across the country as the Lawrence family moved on orders of the US Army as General Lawrence pursued his distinguished military career. Somewhat shy in her youth, Anne spent a lot of time reading books, a pleasure she enjoyed throughout her life. Accepted at several colleges, in 1972 she elected to attend the University of Vermont and in her second year there decide to pursue an interest in Russian area studies. Learning the University of Washington (Seattle) had a superior Russian program, and that a close friend was transferring to UW, Anne transferred to UW and in 1976 completed her degree in Russian area studies (i.e. language, culture, history, etc.). Being the depth of the Cold War, it was extremely difficult to obtain a visa to enter the USSR, or get work there to support one’s self. Anne, persistent as always, found a way and was soon employed in Moscow as a nanny to an American embassy family. Ordinary Russians wouldn’t associate with Americans for fear of getting into trouble with the Soviet government. In spite of this, Anne made many Russian friends, primarily with those who had already suffered at the hands of their government and had little else to loose; dissidents, Orthodox Christian clergy and Jews. Anne thoroughly enjoyed her time in Moscow and loved the friends she made there. Others who were with her in those days have said that Anne’s Russian was near fluent and that Russians, hearing a slight accent, often asked if she was Latvian or Lithuanian, but never guessed she was American. After a year in Moscow, she elected to move to Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany where the US military operated a Russian Institute and the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC). AFRC operated several hotels, a ski lodge, a campground, a golf course, a ski school as well as mountaineering and white water kayaking programs. AFRC also employed a lot of young civilians, Americans as well as EU citizens. Anne soon found herself working and living among a large, international group of young people who used AFRC in Garmisch as a base from which they traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and the Far East. It was there that Anne met her future husband, Joe Roby, as well as a great number of other people that the couple continues to maintain friendships with to this day. Anne and Joe and their friends skied, hiked and bicycled throughout the beautiful mountains surrounding Garmisch. In 1979, Anne and Joe
departed on a one year budget backpacking trip through the far east, traveling extensively in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Over the entire year, Anne and Joe managed on a budget of just over $5 per day each, including the cost of air fares! They were extreme budget travelers! Before returning to the USA late that year, they worked for several weeks in Korea as English language teachers, refilling their meager coffers before heading home. They elected to return home via Hawaii. This would be the first of many trips to Hawaii for Anne and Joe, but little did they suspect it at the time. Once in the USA, Anne and Joe first stayed with Joe’s brother, John, in Los Angles before visiting friends in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, then continuing on to Joe’s home town of Evansville, Indiana where Anne spent a week before she traveled on to be with her parents in Washington, DC. Young and broke, Anne and Joe agreed to stay with their parents to work, save money and reunite 3 months later. In the meantime, they needed to agree where they would move to in the USA to start this new phase of their life together. Unfortunately, being apart was more difficult than they had imagined and after a bit more than 2 months with just a little money and an old car, in early 1980 they headed to Seattle, a decision with which they have remained extremely happy with to this day.In Seattle, Joe quickly found work in a boat shop and Anne went to work in a computer supply company. In the first year after their arrival in Seattle, Anne and Joe had committed to each other to spending a life together and they wanted to let the world know of their commitment. On an absolutely stunning, summer-like day on March 22, 1981 in a beautiful setting of lawns, forests, lakes and peacocks (no, really!) and supported by a dozen of their friends Anne and Joe were married. Another joint decision made which has never been regretted. Anne and Joe were getting the hang of this “joint decision making”.Later that year Anne changed jobs and with a very supportive new manager, Anne quickly grew professionally taking on ever more responsibility. She was soon the manager of procurement and facilities, and more than 60 people, for a large and still growing company. Joe however was feeling restricted in his employment opportunities by the poor economy and his lack of a university degree. Anne urged Joe to return to school. Anne’s father, General Lawrence, urged Joe to go back to school. Joe went crab fishing in Alaska! After being seriously seasick for several days crossing the Gulf of Alaska Joe became convinced of the brilliantness of his wife and father in-law. Joe went back to school. Anne put Joe through college, financially supporting her student-husband for more than four years without complaint, but with great pride and infinite encouragement and patience. In the middle of his university program, and with the generous assistance of Dick and Pat Lawrence, Joe and Anne bought their home in Seattle for the past 30 years and which is cherished by Anne’s family to this day. Joe spent much of the subsequent years upgrading the 100 year old house. Joe graduated from UW in 1986 (exactly 10 years late…) with a degree in mechanical engineering, and took his first engineering job shortly thereafter. In 1987, Joe changed jobs to work at Robbins, the firm he has worked for since. Finally, Joe and Anne were both working, again! But, not for long. In 1989 Anne decided she needed a career change, not for more money or responsibility but rather for more mental stimulation and possibly for a job with far few employees…or better yet, with none! Anne quit work and started school to get an associate’s degree in computer programming. Another joint decision which the couple never regretted.Shortly after Anne returned from her 10th wedding anniversary celebration weekend in Vancouver, Canada she was pleasantly surprised to learn she was pregnant. Actually, Anne and Joe were ecstatic to learn Anne was pregnant! Oh, and scared. They were very scared. Fortunately, they were needlessly scared as was proven when on a stunningly beautiful day without a cloud in the sky (I know with us living in Seattle you find all this “sunny day” stuff hard to believe, but believe me (Joe), the sun has shined on our family a lot in life! … okay, back to the story) …on a beautiful day on November 22nd, 1991, eight months after our anniversary, and about four weeks early, at 6:58 a.m. arrived the most perfect child any parent could wish for, Elena Case Roby. Casey’s arrival was followed by a gorgeous sunrise which Anne and I shared while holding our wonderful new baby. Anne spent only one night in the hospital, then went back to college for midterms and three nights later our family of three went to Thanksgiving dinner with our close friends, a Thanksgiving I’ll never forget with all of our friends getting to see and hold our tiny beautiful baby, Casey.Anne soon graduated and took a job with the State of Washington’s Computer Information Systems group (CIS), writing computer programs for the state’s community and technical colleges, a group she remained with until her death. Anne enjoyed the work at CIS but she really reveled in the community of her coworkers. Those coworkers repaid Anne’s love for them many times over in the past year and a half, showing unbelievable generosity and taking incredible care of Anne’s every need as she continued to try to work even through her debilitating illness. Anne’s work community was incredibly important to her. Throughout her illness she went to work as often and for as long as she could. She wanted to be with her CIS buddies, to try to help them get the job done.Of course, in the 22 years since Casey was born, Anne’s primary job was loving and taking care of Casey, a job she did to perfection. There is no doubt of that, and Casey will happily admit it and appreciates it. (i.e. and I quote, “Dad can be fun, but when I’m sick I want my mom because no one can take better care of me!”) In Casey’s first years, Anne had to suffer through some extremely frightening weeks as Casey was three times taken to the emergency room and subsequently hospitalized for multiple days for severe asthma. Fortunately, Anne got better at recognizing symptoms and taught us to get aggressive with early treatment at the onset of an asthma attack which seemed to help a lot. Fortunately, as Casey grew older the frequency and intensity of the attacks slowly declined. Anne and Joe started life together overseas and have continued to travel internationally since. Anne has traveled to Saudi Arabia, Syria, the USSR, Austria, Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, England, Norway and to Spain many wonderful times! In Spain they have a wonderful group of friends developed over years of visits. Anne and Joe have celebrated all of their milestone wedding anniversaries with travel. Their 5th anniversary was celebrated on the island Isla Mujeres in Mexico, the 10th in Vancouver, Canada, the 15th in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, the 20th in Kawai, Hawaii, 25th in Barcelona Spain, the 30th in Florence, Italy. For many years, winter holidays were spent skiing in Canada, often with Anne’s parents, who have been good traveling companions over the past 30 years. Summers often involved a trip back to Joe’s Indiana boyhood home where Casey would play with all of her many wonderful cousins, chase lightening bugs and snuggle into the loving laps of Grandma and Grandpa, while Anne and Joe drank beer and wine and ate barbeque with Joe’s mom and dad and brothers and sister.Anne was intelligent, warm, caring, generous, compassionate and giving. She was passionate about education, alternative health care, social justice, and equality and was a lifelong feminist. She was beautiful. Anne was a wonderful wife and the best mother, ever! She was a good friend and a great coworker and team member. She was curious and loved to be given difficult challenges, to seek out unique solutions, to learn something 
new to solve a problem. She never stopped reading and in spite of having strongly held views. She continually researched, evolved and learned and changed. Anne had a wonderful smile and an infectious, sometimes explosive laugh that was heard often at dinner parties. Anne liked to have fun. She loved good food, wine and music and sharing them with good friends. She is going to be missed by many.Anne is survived by her husband of 33 years, Joe Roby, her daughter, Casey Roby, her parents, Lt. General Richard Lawrence and Patsy Lawrence, her brother Scott Lawrence and a number of brothers and sisters in-law and a very large number of nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom should know they were well loved by Anne. We loved Anne deeply and will miss her always. A gathering in celebration of Anne’s life will be held from 3 to 6 pm on Friday, April 25th, at Boedel Hall in Seattle. Bloedel Hall is located at the back of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, at 1245 Tenth Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102. (On the North end of Seattle’s Capitol Hill). The entrance to Boedel Hall is at the very back of the cathedral building. There is a large parking lot. As Anne would have wanted it, dress is informal and there will be beverages and light snacks. Please, come to help us celebrate the wonderful life she shared with us.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, a donation to Anne’s favorite charity, the Fistula Foundation, would be much appreciated. Please, go to; http://www.fistulafoundation.org/donate/
31 Responses to “Anne Hunter Lawrence”
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Joe and Casey,
I want to tell you what a joy it was to know Anne. As one of the CIS family members I will say we were the lucky ones.
Love to you and your family
Joe and Casey – Anne was one of the most incredible, inspiring, funny, brilliant and caring people I have ever met and it was truly a privilege to have known her.
We miss her every day but take comfort knowing she will forever be in our hearts.
Jackie
What a wonderful love letter to someone so awesome and loved. Anne apparently had a wonderful life and leaves behind many who adored her for sure.
Having known Anne my entire life, I am amazed, after reading your lovely biography, about how much I didn’t know. She has continued to inspire me, as she did in life. I will be joining you all in April. Thank you for creating a place and time where we who loved Anne can celebrate her life together.
Well said brother. Hunter was an amazing, uniquely beautiful person. She was so filled with love for both you and Casey. That wonderful laugh at gatherings will be sorely missed. I look forward to coming back out with the rest of our brothers and sister for this Celebration of her life.
We really enjoyed the times we’ve had with Anne and the family (including Tucker! and Sophie before that) so sorry to hear of her passing. We especially remember the relaxed week on Maui where we tried to learn surfing with Joe and Casey, and walks with our pooches when they would terrorize anyone standing in their play-path. Take care and I’m sure there are lots of sunflowers for Anne now…
Joe and Casey-
I loved growing up with Anne as my neighbor. She always said hello with that big, bright personality and a smile that exuded such warm presence.
Thank you for sharing about her life. I loved reading about how happy she made you both. What a special woman.
Thinking about you both lots and lots.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful Lady – My heart goes out to you both, Joe and Casey – All the best – There is no doubt that the Celebration of her Life that you have planned for her, will indeed be, a Celebration of her Life –
Dear Joe and Casey,
Thank you for taking the time to write of Anne’s truly amazing and blessed life. I remember looking back while we were all walking on the beach in Sri Lanka and seeing you and Anne holding each other and thinking this is what true love is. Thank you Anne, Joe and Casey for touching our lives and bringing love to us all.
Joe and Casey,
I remember the day I met her at the old campground bar in Garmisch. Her smile said it all, and as I would soon learn, represented the person she truly was. The essence of her being was as beautiful as that smile, the laugh that could start an uproar, and just the genuine sweetheart that she was will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Thank you Joe and Casey for sharing her with us.
Joe and Casey,
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Anne. She was an amazing women and she will be missed in world. I look back so fondly of my time spent in Seattle, especially my times spent sharing stories, drink and food with all the Roby’s.
Casey and Joe,
how lucky you are to have had a mother and friend like Anne!!
And how lucky for all of us Seattle friends to have had Anne as our confidant, host, adviser, helper, wild discussion partner ( I remember many a night she and I solving the world’s problem going on until 6 in the morning!, extremely patient (for years and for many, many week-ends)with your house being open to all of us and our endless parties, problem solver and inventor of solutions to difficulties we friends couldn’t handle on our own … the list could go on and on but is best summed up as Anne being a true friend to us!!
Anne will always be for me a paragon of paradox. She was a devoted scholar and life-long reader and learner and planner — I still remember her detailed dissertation o n the best place in southern California to live when time to retire — and yet she loved to travel, and sought adventure and was not afraid to do without. And her generosity. I don’t think this was mentioned. Joe, this might have been more your wish than Anne’s, but Anne willingly and graciously opened her home virtually every weekend (when you were home) as a haven for lost traveling friends who drifted into Seattle’s harbor. When she tired of the company, she went back into the bedroom to read. She had no problem making her views known and supporting them with reasoned arguments. I had my best late night talks with Anne. Fueled by a little (or a lot) of wine, we solved many of life’s riddles. Anne is unique and irreplaceable. Thank you Joe for making it possible for her to be a part of our lives as well as yours.
The complete beauty of your tribute to your Anne, the life you shared and the memories that hopefully can linger forever in your heart(s) are wonderful. I am so hoping the pain of the loss that you & Casey both are experiencing can be eased by the love poured forth by so many. ‘Our Block’ has lost a Special Lady.
Joey & Casey,
With ‘Hunters’ passing I know a couple of things for sure..!One is that she found comfort in seeing
Casey finish her schooling and in seeing Casey getting started(if only a few steps) on her lifes’path and the other is that she was with some of the two people that she loved the most on this whole planet, when she left us…and that’s a GOOD thing.
To our dear friend Joe, we are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We really enjoyed reading about Anne’s life and we are sure you have many more fantastic memories of your life together.
Thank you and Casey for sharing her story.
Yes, you are correct that we are still in the southwest and will not be back in time to help celebrate Anne’s life.
We would like to contact you on our return to Washington. We will send another email after we arrive and maybe we can get together then.
Your friends Dave and Sharon Leipham
Joe and Casey,
Anne was a bright, intense, curious woman. She was a very loyal friend. Even this past with all she was undergoing, Dec. and Jan. she reached out to me with supportduring my medical stuff. She adored you two; she was completely devoted to you.
I still remember you, Joe, Anne, Scott and I made spanakopeta for T-Day dinner when you lived in the Green Lake apartment. I remember You, Joe, holding tiny Casey in your hand at the T-Day dinner. You all are part of the core fabric of the lives of so many of us. I will miss Anne.
Joe, it wasn’t long ago, mid 70’s, you showed up in my driveway with that big tan led sled Oldsmobile from E town wanting to reside in Seattle and ending up staying with me till you got settled, that was my first encounter with Hunter, to say she was one of a kind is putting it mildly, we had our differences from time to time but during the basement years (when you lived in the lower level of your house) she become a good friend/adviser and confidant. Many good memories which I’ll always cherish, she may not be present but her presence will always be with you and the friends she has touched throughout her life.
Joe, it wasn’t long ago, mid 70’s, you showed up in my driveway with that big tan lead sled Oldsmobile from E town wanting to reside in Seattle and ending up staying with me till you got settled, that was my first encounter with Hunter, to say she was one of a kind is putting it mildly, we had our differences from time to time but during the basement years (when you lived in the lower level of your house) she become a good friend/adviser and confidant. Many good memories which I’ll always cherish, she may not be present but her presence will always be with you and the friends she has touched throughout her life.
Joe and Casey – Thank you for sharing Anne with us, her CIS family. Having worked with her for 10 years, we talked a lot about her interesting life, your time in Norway, the bløtkake (sponge cake with whipped cream) she so liked, where the best place was to go for happy hour, comparing notes on our puppies. She was so smart, and always so willing to help where ever she could. Her resilience and positive attitude until the end was amazing. She is missed by her family at CIS every single day. She now has the best seat in the house for watching how we move forward. She so wanted to be here for that. I will never forget her.
Looking at that beautiful picture of Anne, I can hear her lively, passionate voice and remember the many thoughtful and involved conversations with her about – well, seemingly everything and anything. Never boring!Thanks for sharing your respectful, loving and amusing story of your life together. We feel privileged having known her and she will be missed.
Dear Joe and Casey –
I am inspired by and appreciate this wonderful tribute. I am someone who did not get to know Anne well but I have gotten hear that amazing laugh and I have witnessed the incredible generosity and kindness you speak of. I hope that you will always find a little comfort in knowing that so many people deeply love your beautiful Anne.
Joe & Casey,
We are so sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen Anne in years, but I have some great memories of you all, especially, 1991! Joe, The obituary couldn’t be more perfect in sharing Anne’s life and the love you both had for each other. My heart is broken for You and Casey. Her smiling face will live on in your memories! Take Care. Our thoughts are with you all!
Joe & Casey,
I am so sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen Anne in many years, but I have some great memories with her, especially in 1991! Joe, the obituary couldn’t be more perfect in sharing the love you both had for each other, Anne’s love for life and her great smile! My heart is broken for you and Casey. Our thoughts are with you and your family! Take Care. ♥
Such a beautiful tribute to a very loved, intelligent & true beauty. My condolences to the family & hoping that the outpouring of love can help with the grief. It is obvious she touched so many lives. Rest in peace, Anne. You accomplished an amazing life.
Dear Joe and Casey,
We leave here a poem for you. It is the Elegy by the Spanish poet Miguel Hernández, and its translation by Edwin Honig.
This poem has accompanied us in the past. It expresses the pain, the devastation and the anger that invade us when we loose our beloved ones; but also the hope that we get, eventually, when we recover them, we reunite with them in our memories and hearts, and we recognize them in the unceasing nature around us.
With love,
Pepe and Marga
SPANISH
Elegía a Ramón Sijé
(de El rayo que no cesa, 1936)
(En Orihuela, su pueblo y el mío, se me ha muerto
como del rayo Ramón Sijé, con quien tanto quería.)
Yo quiero ser llorando el hortelano
de la tierra que ocupas y estercolas,
compañero del alma, tan temprano.
Alimentando lluvias, caracolas
y órganos mi dolor sin instrumento,
a las desalentadas amapolas
daré tu corazón por alimento.
Tanto dolor se agrupa en mi costado,
que por doler me duele hasta el aliento.
Un manotazo duro, un golpe helado,
un hachazo invisible y homicida,
un empujón brutal te ha derribado.
No hay extensión más grande que mi herida,
lloro mi desventura y sus conjuntos
y siento más tu muerte que mi vida.
Ando sobre rastrojos de difuntos,
y sin calor de nadie y sin consuelo
voy de mi corazón a mis asuntos.
Temprano levantó la muerte el vuelo,
temprano madrugó la madrugada,
temprano estás rodando por el suelo.
No perdono a la muerte enamorada,
no perdono a la vida desatenta,
no perdono a la tierra ni a la nada.
En mis manos levanto una tormenta
de piedras, rayos y hachas estridentes
sedienta de catástrofes y hambrienta.
Quiero escarbar la tierra con los dientes,
quiero apartar la tierra parte a parte
a dentelladas secas y calientes.
Quiero minar la tierra hasta encontrarte
y besarte la noble calavera
y desamordazarte y regresarte.
Volverás a mi huerto y a mi higuera:
por los altos andamios de las flores
pajareará tu alma colmenera
de angelicales ceras y labores.
Volverás al arrullo de las rejas
de los enamorados labradores.
Alegrarás la sombra de mis cejas,
y tu sangre se irán a cada lado
disputando tu novia y las abejas.
Tu corazón, ya terciopelo ajado,
llama a un campo de almendras espumosas
mi avariciosa voz de enamorado.
A las aladas almas de las rosas
del almendro de nata te requiero,
que tenemos que hablar de muchas cosas,
compañero del alma, compañero.
10 de enero de 1936
ENGLISH
Elegy
(From ‘Unceasing Lighening’)
(In Orihuela, his town and mine, Ramon Sije, whom I loved so much, has died like lightning, he and I.)
Friend of my soul, I want to be
the tearful gardener of the earth
you occupy, and enrich, all too soon.
My grief without purpose feeding
the rain, the snail-shells and organs,
I’ll give your heart for food
to the desolate poppies.
Such sorrow gathers in my chest,
that I mourn with painful breath.
A harsh slap, an icy blow,
an invisible, murderous axe-stroke,
a brutal thrust has felled you.
There’s no expanse big enough for my hurt,
I weep for my misfortune and yours together
and I feel your death more than I do my life.
I walk on the tracks of the dead,
and without warmth from anyone, or consolation
I go from my feelings to my work.
Too soon death lifted in flight,
too soon the dawn broke,
too soon you’re surrounded with earth.
No forgiveness for lovesick death,
no forgiveness for thankless life,
no forgiveness for earth or nothingness.
A storm rises, in my hands,
of rocks, lightning bolts, harsh axes,
thirsty and hungry for catastrophes.
I want to gnaw at the earth with my teeth,
I want to take the earth apart bit by bit
with dry, burning bites.
I want to mine the earth till I find you,
and kiss your noble skull,
and un-shroud you, and return you.
You’ll return to my garden, my fig tree:
In the high trellises of flowers,
birdlike your soul, the hive
of angelic waxes and labours.
You’ll return to the enamoured farm-hands’
ploughshares’ lullaby.
You’ll brighten the shadow of my brow,
and your girl and the bees will go along,
on both sides, arguing over your blood.
My eager voice of a lover
calls from a field of foaming almonds,
to your heart, already ruined velvet.
I summon you to the winged souls
of the creamy almond blossoms,
we’ve so many things to speak of,
friend, friend of my soul.
10th of January 1936
Joe and Casey: thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Anne. We will miss her boisterous laugh,her strong presence and her overall exuberance for loving and living.
Joe and Casey,
What a beautiful tribute. I had no idea she had such an interesting life and such a loving and wonderful family.
Anne will be missed by all of us at the State Board – she was a very kind co-worker and we had many interesting talks.
Sandy
A great soul,great partner,great mom,but most of all a great human being. Lover of life and everything around her. Live with love and passion. That was Ann’s life and it touched all those around her.So glade she was part of our family.
Dear Joe and Casey, Thank you for the beautiful recounting of Anne’s life and the love expressed in your remembrance of her. We enjoyed the times we shared with Anne and you and are pleased to have known your family. May the love and support of family and friends at the celebration of her life tomorrow bring you comfort and peace and help in the healing of the loss you have experienced. May the love and grace of God be with you.
Dear Joe & Casey, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I held all of you in prayer through out Ann’s suffering as I continue to hold you in prayer. Your sharing of memories of Ann’s life is heart warming. I want to share a little story. Several times as I worked in the front garden Ann would come bye for a short visit and she really loved the Gora. I told her I would give her a starter plant. That never worked out but I think of Ann when I see the Gora playing in the breeze. Many Blessings to You & Casey, Tony Horner