Gwendolyn Smith Lawrence was born on January 22, 1937 in Alison, Manchester Parrish, Jamaica to Ena Ashley and Clarence Smith. She was raised by her grandmother Annie Ashley with her many cousins where they nurtured each other. She learned piano, sewing and her love of cooking. Around the age of 18 she went to England with a few dollars to live with a relatives and start her nursing training in England. For three years she studied diligently and earned a certificate as a nurse of infectious disease. Then she went back to school for general nursing and midwifery. She worked at St. Giles for over 10 years.

She met her husband, Huntley, by chance when she visited her grand aunt where he was a roomer. They had a lot in common, became fast friends ,and eventually became engaged to be married. They were married in April 1962. Together they started a family and began building a life. After working for many years in England they decided to come to The USA for a brighter future.

They came to the United States in 1969 aboard the S.S. United States to begin their new life in Corona, Queens with her father in-law, niece ,and nephews. She soon landed a position as a nurse at Parson's Hospital in Flushing, Queens. Through her hard work and dedication she was promoted through the ranks until she became the top supervisor. At the same time she nurtured her children who all went onto college and became successful in their own right. While in Queens, Gwen fulfilled her love of gardening, cooking and adventure and kept a close knit circle of relatives and friends.

In 1993, after working many years in nursing Gwen and her husband yearned for a more relaxed lifestyle. They researched areas in Florida since it was the next best place to their beloved Jamaica and in 1992 they moved to Valrico, Tampa and soon thereafter relatives and friends followed too. She cherished her network of family and friends that offered unconditional love. Gwen always maintained her sense of style and loved to get her hair done by her favorite hairdresser whom she met when she first arrived in Florida. While in Florida she and Huntley cultivated a quality garden, grew fruit trees, and lived a quality life. She loved to go on cruises, vacations ,and excursions with her close family and friends and cherished her brother-in-law and cousins who were like her sisters and brothers. She kept in shape with her water aerobics crew and through her morning walks. There is nothing Gwen would not do for family and friends. Her humble spirit and quiet energy blessed everyone she met. She always put others before herself and never refused to help others in need. Gwen was a blessing to all.

The family would like to especially thank her best friend and big brother Joseph Panton who was always by her side, Lloyd and Evadne Ashley for their dedication and commitment, Eurceline and Furgus Burrell for their continuous prayers , and for the amazing support of family and friends near and far.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life Huntley E. Lawrence and she leaves to cherish her memories her beloved four children; Annette, Sandra, Huntley, Sonya, son-in-law Mbaye Diao, and daughter-in-law, Audrey, and seven grand children; Kayla, Christopher, Maiya, Serigne, Seydou, Daniel and Elijah.

A funeral service will be held at High Point Church in Brandon on Saturday February 11, 2017 at 11 AM.