Ann Lawson

Beloved friend, mother, sister and companion, Ann Louise Lawson, "went into the embrace of the Lord," having passed away from cancer on Dec. 7, 2005.

Ann was born on Nov. 24, 1954, the second child of Emmett and Augusta Lawson, in western New York state and grew up by Lake Chautauqua.

To some, Ann was a wonder woman, a tall, lean athlete who exhausted us as we tried to follow her zipping down ski slopes or tackling backcountry terrain. We admired her navigating Montana's whitewater rivers and Class IV rapids. A fast biker, a long-distance sea kayaker, and strong backpacker, Ann reveled in every outdoor opportunity Montana offered. Glacier National Park was her second home, and she never needed to consult a map, as she had long ago memorized every trail. She said she loved "being in the rhythm of the earth."

To Ann's clients in her physical therapy practice, she was an extraordinary healer, especially to the children she worked with in the school system. She worked for years as a physical therapist with the Kalispell public schools before opening a private physical therapy practice in both Kalispell and Whitefish, where she remained. She enjoyed the challenge of transforming dispirited people with difficult disabilities to become stronger, confident selves.

As a singer and needlework artist, Ann used her skills to support and delight others. In college, Ann sang with a traveling group, and continued singing for friends at life-cycle occasions. Her sewing skills culminated in beautiful handmade quilts, which she gave to family and friends.

Deeply spiritual and intuitive, Ann wordlessly sensed our deepest thoughts and gently brought them to the surface. She always seemed attuned to her spirituality and used that gift to ease our troubles.

Sharing her talent was not enough, as Ann believed in giving back to a community that was good to her. She was an officer of the National Association of Physical Therapists. After her bout with breast cancer, she became the president of the nascent Montana chapter of the Susan B. Komen Foundation. She was active with local cancer support groups and served on boards dealing with Native American issues, peace and growth matters, with the quilting guild, and was active in her church.

Of all her relationships, none supersedes the one with her son, Shae Heberling, the light of her life. She gave him all her love and always wished for him a life filled with loving relationships, as was her own.

Her sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Ron Peterson, of Randolph, N.Y., and her brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Cindy Lawson, of Concord, N.H., were with her when she left this world. She received unwavering care and attention from her longtime devoted companion, Michael Jaworsky.

A memorial service took place Dec. 11, 2005, at the United Methodist Church in Whitefish.