A Century
Miss Dorothy Lawrence is synonymous with St. Mary’s. Generations of grateful students have blossomed under her gentle but firm guidance. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, here are some tributes and greetings…
Dorothy and I have lived together for 16 years, and I will cherish these very much in my life. She taught me how to grow old graciously, elegantly, and the value of adhering to certain disciplines for peace of mind and social compatibility. Her life stories are very entertaining, and her memory is her best asset.
There is so much I could write about Dorothy here, but I shall restrict myself to her successful battle with cancer at the age of 87.
Some of the lessons she taught me in this challenge include:
1. Never give up - with God we can believe for impossible things. Her faith is strong and real.
I collapsed emotionally when the doctor gave us the bad news. Dorothy looks him straight in the eye and says - I will fight this with all I have got. 36 sessions of radiotherapy after a surgery for removal of the lump in her breast were challenging and painful. She taught me the names of all the trees we passed along the road while driving up to the hospital.
She took all her medication faithfully, and on time for 8 years. Now she does not have a single cancerous cell in her body and even though the experience made her slow up her walking speed. Life went on without making anyone sad or sorry to be around her
2. Heed the physician - her dad was a military doctor from Madras Medical College. He trained all his children to take care of themselves, so he could look after others. She still likes to look after the small details of her life and is amazingly disciplined even at this age.
Dorothy never argued with her doctor then and even now. If something has to be done - get it done as soon as possible. Once she believed her doctor was trustworthy, no second opinion was ever sought. She trusted their professional advice with good results always.
3. Be aware of others suffering - she was visibly shaken by a little boy who lost his optic nerve and eyesight because of Cancer. She was able to be a blessing to this boy-from-Bangladesh.
4. Suffering is part of life - lift your vision higher.
She has medical and other challenges, but still believes she needs to “get up; dress up and show up” for as many events as possible. In the years she had her “central vision” now compromised with retina collapse, she never forgot to write letters, send birthday and Christmas cards with appropriate notes attached. Birthday presents were always selected thoughtfully and made ready well in advance of the recipient’s “big-day”.
Until the pandemic hit she always was on-time to Church, and dressed suitably with beads, handbag and shoes well co-ordinated.
5. Life is short - have fun in the here and now. Grudges, un-forgiveness, regrets are a waste of time. Our trip for the School’s 150th celebrations, included a trip to say goodbye to all her haunts in Bombay and Panchgani. You should have seen her run around the table land she played hockey in her school days at Kimmins School.
Dorothy learned how to Skype, WhatsApp message and phone, and handle all modern gadgets with confidence. The ATM card and electronic banking still bothers her!
I still cannot comprehend how we managed to go to Sri Lanka for her 97th birthday. I’m so thrilled we did, because now we can’t travel. She found energy to complete her “bucket-list” with elegance and good planning. When we saw opportunity on the way, we did not hesitate to enjoy the small moments of delight. Her have-fun—up policy does not allow for carelessness or recklessness. She has a very tight moral-compass. She knows her boundaries and stays well within them, with amazing ROI.
Kavita Singh (Edwards)
Ms. Dorothy Hope Lawrence was my first Vice Principal when I joined SMS Pune as a History teacher in June 1978. She was always the very efficient, fair and considerate superior. On one occasion, when one of my liveliest girls was standing outside the class, the Vice Principal was on her rounds. “Mrs. Menon, any problem,” she asked. I said, “No Ma'am,” and she went very kindly on her way, without asking why the girl stood outside the class.
We met at the SMS SesquicentennialYear Service, and then later in Mumbai.
In Mumbai, we took Ms. Lawrence and Kavita (Mrs. Edward's daughter) to Jimmy Boy for after dinner cookies and coffee. When I addressed her as ‘Ms. Lawrence', she said 'Dorothy' at her regal best! I think that get together helped me to understand and know you much better than in our SMS days.
Thank you for being the delightful person you are. Bless you!
Dr. K. Vimala Menon
Miss Lawrence was the ideal art teacher. Elegant, very pretty, and always extremely well dressed, she kept our art classes very interesting. Once I remember her picking a very pretty lavender coloured sprig from the creeper in the garden and bringing it in for us to draw. Even after 60 odd years, whenever I see the mauve and purple shading and the delicate flowers of the PetreaVolubis, I think of dear Miss Lawrence and that art class long ago when we, the Class of '59, were all happy, carefree teenagers, and the world was our oyster! This comes from the Class of ’59 with all our love and best wishes on your 100th Birthday, dear Miss Lawrence!
Usha Dravid
It seems almost like yesterday when we were walking in line from our classrooms to the art room on top of the prep school boarders’ house. My first lesson with Miss Lawrence was awesome. She was a lady of great dignity and standing…one to lookup to and one whose word was gently but firmly expressed and had to be obeyed. I had heard my sister talk of all the teachers and was curious to see how I would get on. Her instructions were precise and with one stroke she was able to conjure up amazing pictures with great colours of different hues and nuances.
Today Miss Lawrence has happily reached 100 years and her life is still filled with both happiness and sadness. I wish I were nearby to hold her hand and once more look into those hazel eyes that have seen so much. The nuns and the girls with all the people around her love and loved her. I wish her only the best of health may
God bless you, Miss Lawrence from Margaret Stiffle, the girl who was not easy to tame…but with lots of love in her heart.
Margaret Stiffle
Congratulations and best wishes as you celebrate this very special milestone birthday - 100!May all the joy and happiness you have brought to so many be returned on this glorious day and all the days that follow.
Birthdays are a time for telling special people how much they mean to us, for thanking them for kindnesses and all that we have shared.I have special memories of art classes and your encouragement regardless of ability. I also have to thank you for teaching me the art of good handwriting, which has been extremely useful and for which I am complimented!
Much love,
Christine Sutton (Ledlie)
These sincere birthday wishes for your remarkable century come to you with lots of love from our class of 1961, our seniors of 1960 and some from even earlier , living in India and abroad. We have lovely memories of your art class,and have admired your dignified demeanour, your style, your discipline and your dedication through all those beautiful years at St Mary’s.
It has been a joy to meet you at all the get-togethers over the years and we find it amazing that not only have you maintained your elegance and ‘chic’ but that you also actually remember all our names after so many years! That really makes us feel like we are still school girls!
All those classes come back to mind, when you taught us to do ‘repeated patterns’, measure a person with a pencil, the meaning of the incomprehensible word ‘perspective’, the light and shade effect , and then the Drawing exams of which some of us still treasure the certificates...one can go on endlessly. You were indeed an important part of our growing years, and if we have any sense of aesthetics and discipline today, we have only you to thank. If we are observant of colours and shapes in nature, we have only you to thank. If we have a sense of neatness and coordination, we have only you to thank.
You, Miss Lawrence, have sowed in us the seeds of ‘all things bright and beautiful’ and on this, your Hundredth Birthday, we thank you for being such an important part of our upbringing and wish you a Very Happy Birthday, good health, peace and happiness always.
I wasn’t an artist, but someone instilled in me the wonder of art, taught me to see differently,and to try express things on paper... Ms. Lawrence, our art teacher.
Every class was special, but one stayed long with me. Ms Lawrence took us outside, drawing our attention to the trees. “Sketch one,” she said,urging us to notice that each had a distinctive personality. One stood arrogant, while another was hesitant as a bride... as she spoke I felt their personalities come alive. Needless to say I never looked at trees the same again.
Happy Birthday Ms. Lawrence! And thank you!
Tapasi Ray (SMS 1981)
Art was my favourite subject all through the years at SMS.Walking to the art room on Thursdays with my art supplies was the highlight of the week.None of it would have been possible without you... a teacher who made Art fun, exciting and engaging. Teachers come and go but only the ones who make a difference and one still remembers 40 years later are rare.
I may not be a great artist but I still draw and paint and I still recall my happy days with you. Wishing you lots of joy and happiness!!
Suchita Rathi
The Quinn Family has some wonderful memories of you, Dearest Miss Lawrence, both as an art teacher and a great friend to our darling parents! It’s such a great honour and privilege to wish you the HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY YET! 100 Years!
You are an amazing woman whose has a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of young girls! We all aspired to become budding artists under your expert guidance. Who will ever forget, “Head to waist, waist to knee, knee to ground!”
You are an inspiration and a blessing, and we thank God for you and celebrate YOU with great joy. May The Lord continue to shower His blessings of good health & happiness.
LOVE YOU HEAPS!
The Quinn Family
Miss Lawrence was my art teacher during most of my formative years in school. Art was never my strong suit and my grandchildren’s artwork is already better than mine will ever be. My many years as a teacher have taught me that the hallmark of a good instructor is not so much how she impacts an already talented student but how she deals with a student with challenges. I have no doubt that my artistic endeavours would have filled Miss Lawrence with varying degrees of dismay but she never singled me out for negative attention or ever made me dread being in her class. For this, I will be forever grateful.
Miss Lawrence was my class teacher in my final year at SMS. I remember her once again as a very benign presence who presided over her class with equal measures of elegance and dignity. The one incident that is still good for a retrospective chuckle is the way she convinced the ice cream man who visited our school that he had short-changed one of my classmates. Thank you, Miss Lawrence, for having our backs when we were young and for teaching us how to age gracefully as we, in turn, grow older.
Geetha Doraiswamy Nagarajan (Batch of 1969)
My lessons in the art-room were some of the happiest in school.You encouraged us to experiment with styles , subjects and forms and colours which were to be used judiciously,never 'treacle-like'! These lessons are remembered to this day. A smile of encouragement from you was really special.
Happy Birthday Dear Ms Lawrence. Have wonderful years ahead.
Shobha Patwardhan (Class 62-63)
Happy 100th birthday from an alumna - Class of ’76. I was a boarder and loved your class. Your attention to detail as made a deep impact on me.
Wishing you every blessing.
Rashmi Gaikwad
Wishing you a very happy 100th birthday. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Stay blessed.
With warm regards,
Raman (Motee) Sutavani
Please wish Ms Lawrence a very happy birthday from me too. I attended St Mary's long after she stopped teaching there, but I have met her once at an alumni function and I have heard a lot about her from mum.
Ruhcha Sutavani
It’s been 47 years since I graduated but I still recall my art classes. I am from the 1974 batch, the last one to do the ISC.
Wishing you a very very happy birthday on this very special day.
Respectfully,
Swati Saxena
Happy, happy 100th birthday to my dearest Miss Lawrence!! You have always been one of the kindest, nicest teachers I have had the absolute honour and privilege of knowing! God Bless you always and keep you safe, happy and healthy!
With all my love for a fabulous birthday!
Shireen Variava (now Bharucha)
Batch of 1982
I remember you as a vivacious, creative art teacher who always infused us with beautiful ideas. You are one of the friendliest and most approachable teachers I have had. I take this opportunity to wish a very happy 100th birthday and many, many more to come! I am sure your positive mindset has played a huge role in your reaching this milestone!
With lots of love and Warm wishes,
Varsha SatputeHalabe
Batch - 1985 ICSE
Dear Dorothy,
Wishing the best of birthdays to the best 100 year old I know.
God’s Blessings & lots of love.
Ellen DeWorsop (Ferdinand) , Australia
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ms. Lawrence.
Vaishali Vaz
