Althea Isabel (Morse) Lawrence of Rochester passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, peacefully in her home. She was born on July 3, 1928, in Acushnet, the daughter of Herman Morse and Clara (Ellis) Morse.

Althea is the mother of Wayne B. Lawrence of Fayetteville, GA, Susan Althea Lawrence McCombe of Wareham, and the late Jo-Ann Lawrence Frazier. She is survived by nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She graduated from the New Bedford Vocational School and married Nathan Lawrence in 1947. Althea worked as the dispatcher for Rochester Police and Fire Departments operating the dispatch center from her home in the late 1960’s though the 70’s and became the chief dispatcher from 1980-1990 when the dispatch center was moved to the Rochester Fire Station. She served as a police matron for the Wareham Police Department from 1967-1980.

She loved to knit, cross-stitch, bake, read and feed the hummingbirds. The family would like to thank so many people that have helped her in the past few years through their visits, collecting her mail and bringing her meals. It means so much that she was loved by so many.

Due to the current health crisis, there will be a private family graveside service held at Center Cemetery in Rochester.

Donations in the memory of Althea may be made to Wareham Police Department, 2515 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham, MA 02571, Rochester Ambulance Fund, 1 Constitution Way, Rochester, MA 02770, or Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. To leave a message of condolence visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com