Maria Berardi Lawrence

Maria Berardi Lawrence of Ashburn, Va., formerly of Nemacolin, Pa., passed away peacefully on March 23, 2021, following a long battle with Lyme Disease and its many complications.  Maria was born to Hugo and Lena Berardi on November 6, 1945 in Waynesburg, Pa.  She attended All Saints Grade School and Cumberland Township High School in Carmichaels, serving as Vice President of her senior class and as a majorette in the school band and the Carmichaels Fireman's Band.  Following her dreams after graduating in 1963, she worked for The Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC under the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations and also served in the Executive Office of the President.  After raising her two sons, she worked as a real estate agent with House & Home and in later years was employed by Software AG in Reston, Va.

Maria is survived by her husband of 32 years, Walt Lawrence; her siblings Bernadette Berardi Kramer, David Berardi and Hugo Berardi (Melodie); Maria's sons, John Hunter (Rebecca) of Hood River, Ore. and Paul Hunter (Laura) of Harleysvillle, Pa.  She adored her grandsons, Damon Hunter, John Hunter and Will Hunter who knew her as Granna and Meemaw.  She was loved by her numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews both in the United States, Italy and Belgium who called her Aunt Ria.

She was a devoted wife, consummate and loving mother, a doting grandmother, the finest big Sis in the world; a beautiful soul full of love, caring and laughter.  Maria had a subtle sophistication of style and grace and a passion for the culinary arts and enjoyed entertaining friends and family.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Yoskovich Funeral Home in Carmichaels, Pa., where a blessing service will be held at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Crucible, Pa.  A luncheon will follow in the American Legion in Carmichaels, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, Maria requested that any donations be made to food banks to help those in need.