Marie Rosa Lawler was born November 6, 1922, in Hamilton, Ohio to parents Tony and Antonina Nina Palermo Lotta. She passed away December 17, 2011 at Fleur de Lis Group Home, Kennewick, Washington, where she was lovingly taken care of the last few months. Marie married Joe V. Lawler February 12, 1944, and shortly thereafter they moved to Richland, Washington for work at the Hanford Project. Marie was proud of her profession as an accountant financial and she was one of the first three women in the company to be promoted into management, where she worked until her retirement in 1982. After retiring, Marie found several ways to use her financial skills for community service. As a 45-year survivor of breast cancer, she was an avid supporter of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center from its inception and volunteered several days a week in the Financial Department as well as fundraising events. Also during tax season she certified yearly to qualify as a volunteer tax consultant. She not only loved the mental challenge, she loved nothing more than helping people "save money". Marie was recognized over the years for her volunteer work, including the United Way in 1990, the Benton-Franklin Volunteer Center's 1991 Golden Heart Awards, the IRS Volunteers in 1991, The Tri-Cities Cancer Center for her legacy of philanthropy in 2008, and in 2009 she received the Hawthorne Court Lighthouse award for philanthropy. Marie was an exceptional woman; vibrant, strong, and independent. She had a contagious spirit and a zest for life which she fought so hard for even as the debilitating disease of dementia rapidly took her physical and mental strength away. Marie was preceded in death by her husband Joe, parents Tony and Nina Lotta, brother Joseph Lotta, and sisters Ann Lingler and Rose Altieri. She is survived by her brother Tony Lotta, and numerous nieces and nephews. Rosary is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home 1401 S. Union, Kennewick, and a Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Church Friday, December 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. A Memorial Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church and burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio will be in January 2012. Memorial contributions in Marie's name may be made to either the Tri-Cities Cancer Center 7350 W. Deschutes Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336, or Hospice at The Chaplaincy 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352.