Susan Lawrence, 85, a mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, friend of the arts and pillar of the community, died on Oct. 11 following a brief illness.
Susan was predeceased by her parents, Sidney and Anne Lawrence, and her sister, Rebecca Tobias. She is survived by her long-time partner, Charlie Paynter, with whom, as she frequently remarked, she shared 31 years of unwedded bliss; son, David Nicol, and his wife, Stacie; grandchildren, Aurora Nicol, Aaron Nicol and Anne Crosson; brother-in-law, Stephen Tobias, of Oakland, California; nephews, Jacob Tobias of Oakland and Zachary Tobias of Madrid, Spain; and “great-niblings,” Arthur Tobias and Becky Tobias. She also leaves behind countless friends and acquaintances who will miss the life she brought to social and cultural events.
Susan was influential in the Kansas City art scene, having worked in her parents’ coffee house while in Southwest High School. Susan had a BA from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in art history from Park University.
Susan often spoke with pride of her parents, Sidney and Anne Lawrence, who founded Lawrence Gallery and Coffee House in 1949.
After the coffee house became The Vanguard, Susan’s parents continued operating Lawrence Gallery. Susan joined her mother in operating it in the 1970s.
Susan organized the Westport Gallery Association, later the Kansas City Art Gallery Association, and initiated the tradition of simultaneous art openings, which are now known as “First Fridays.”
After Anne retired in 1984, Susan merged the family business with another gallery to create Batz/Lawrence Gallery, which closed its doors in the late 1980s.
A cinephile, Susan had a career in film production as well as helping found the Greater Kansas City Film Society.
In Susan’s honor, kindly purchase life-enriching art.
A celebration of life for Susan will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at The Monterrey Club in Santa Fe Place (2525 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64108).