Virginia Lawton Duffett, age 54, of Woburn passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, April 12th at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington. Born in Woburn she was the cherished daughter of Elizabeth "Betty" Lawton of Woburn and the late James F. Lawton Jr.
Virginia was a life long resident of Woburn and graduated from Woburn Memorial High School. She continued her education at Boston College, graduating magna cum laude and later received her Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School. She was a 3rd generation attorney, following in her father's and grandfather's footsteps in running the Lawton and Lawton Law Practice out of their building at 4 Bennett St. in Woburn. Virginia took great pride in always being on time and well prepared with detailed notes for trial. She was a generous and kind spirit. To her clients, especially the less fortunate, she was an angel without wings. She will be terribly missed by all those who she came to know through her work and throughout her life.
Virginia was born to be a lawyer. Learning from her father at a young age, she worked to become one of the most accomplished trial attorneys in Massachusetts. She served as the President of the Massachusetts Bar Association, 4th Middlesex County. Virginia had an electric personality and could galvanize a courtroom. She was a born entertainer and showstopper. She was full of enthusiasm and love.
Her biggest love was her family, especially her son, Matthew, who she recently visited with in Los Angeles. Together, they traveled the coast of California with her brother David to Manhattan Beach, where she had one last swim in the ocean, surrounded by dolphins.
Virginia enjoyed spending time at her beach house in Seabrook, NH and always looked forward to traveling to destinations such as Ireland, or to the west coast to visit with her son. Virginia loved to make others happy and one her favorite past times was cooking. She loved reading cookbooks and preparing new recipes to share with Matthew and his friends.
In addition to her son and mother, Virginia is survived by her brothers and their families, James F. Lawton III of Woburn, David J. Lawton of New York City, NY, Peter J. Lawton, Paul E. Lawton, Christopher R. Lawton and Thomas W. Lawton all of Woburn.
Her funeral service will be conducted from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Thursday, April 16th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd. Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Wednesday from 2 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Virginia's memory to the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn, Gardner Lane, Woburn, MA 01801 or to the Dana - Farber Marathon Challenge, Dana - Farber Cancer Institute Marathon and Running Programs,10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.