Vale: Merton Lawrence

MUCH loved Sconeite, Merton Lawrence passed away on Saturday in Singleton aged 86.

After a lifetime in Scone, Merton moved into a nursing home in Singleton three years ago to be closer to his daughter Margie Cooper.

Scone icon, Merton Lawrence passed away on Saturday, aged 86.

Merton was born in Scone and began his career working in hardware, in the department store of Campbell’s Corner, before opening his own store in 1977, where Scone Legal is now located.

When his business outgrew the premises and he made the move to where the Reject Shop now is on Kelly Street.

For decades Merton worked alongside his family, wife Gwen, son Rodney and daughter Margie in his business to help locals with all kinds of decisions, what shade of paint would look good, what hose fitting worked best and what timber to use on projects big or small.

But Merton was also constantly helping the community outside his business, be it the local Thoroughbreds, the chocolate wheel at the community Christmas extravaganzas or selling raffle tickets down the street for cancer. If something needed to be done in the community Merton was there to lend a hand. 

His daughter Margie remembers her dad as a “true gentleman”.

“I thought of him as true gentleman, he was the kindest most compassionate person you would ever know,” said Margie. 

“Everyone in Scone knew him, he was an icon of Scone and was always looking out for others,” she said.

“He was a bit of a perfectionist,” she laughed, “but he gave 100 percent to everything he was involved with and he was involved in many things in the community with sport and many organisations.”

“He lived in Scone all of his life, he was born at the Brancaster hospital, as it was known then,” she said.

“He also worked in hardware all his life, starting at 16 when he worked in the Campbell’s department store.

“So many people knew Dad and Mum (Gwen) and Rodney (Merton’s son) and they were all involved with the town.

“Dad did have dementia, but he wasn’t too bad and still knew everyone, he was in good health until he passed away suddenly,” explained Margie.

While there will only be 75 people allowed inside the church for Merton’s funeral, numbers are unlimited outside and the funeral will also be live streamed.

Funeral details:

• When: 2pm, Thursday, July 8.
• Where: St Luke’s Church, Liverpool Street, Scone.
• Wake: Scone Sporties.

Rest in peace, Merton, one of Scone’s loveliest gentleman.