FT MYERS, FL — Teddy was a bright light to all who knew her. She had a boundless enthusiasm for life, even in the face of challenges, that was infectious and inspiring.
Teddy was born October 27th, 1930 in Boston Massachusetts to Frederica Howell Williams and Albert Blake Williams. She died July 19th, 2019 in Ft Myers, Florida in the company of her children, Christopher and Diana.
Teddy grew up in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and attended The Park School (Brookline, MA), The Winsor School (Boston, MA), The Masters School (Dobbs Ferry, NY), and Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY). In 1952 she married a childhood friend, Edward Lawrence Jr (Ted), and together they raised three children, Edward, Christopher, and Diana, in Birmingham, Michigan. They retired to Etna, New Hampshire.
Among Teddy and Ted’s closest and most lasting friends were Bob and Nancy Sandoe with whom they sailed the Great Lakes, vacationed in the Adirondack Mountains, and cross-country skied in New Hampshire. It was a natural extension of the friendship for Teddy and Bob to marry in 2000 when they were both widowed. Then, true to their shared spirit of adventure, they moved to the Island of Kauai where they lived for 5 years before returning to the mainland.
Wherever Teddy lived, she was devoted to her community. Her volunteer work ranged from co-founding a continuing education program in Michigan called Cranbrook PM, to leading the volunteer organization associated with the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College, to fundraising for Planned Parenthood, to being on the Board of the Adirondack League Club, and beyond. She had the unusual ability to be both gracious and effective.
Teddy also had a gift for making things with her hands, whether it was throwing pots, painting watercolors, making jewelry, doing needlework, or tying flies. She loved it all, and she was good at it. She was also a voracious reader, read the NY Times daily, and loved gardening, cooking, and hiking.
Most of all, Teddy loved her family and the people in her life. She welcomed and engaged with everyone, she laughed easily and often, she was a good friend, she was kind, and she was generous.
Teddy is survived by her two children, Diana and Christopher; two step-children, William and Susan; five step-grandchildren; and eight step-great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Planned Parenthood at https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/teddy-lawrence-sandoe-memorial