Elizabeth St. Lawrence Phd. (McCann) of Orange, MA. passed away unexpectedly on October 24, 2024 at the age of 72. She was born in Boston on August 5, 1952, first of six children of the late Dorothy (Johnson) and Richard K. McCann of Marshfield, MA. She survived a younger brother, the late Steven McCann, and now leaves behind her partner and soulmate, Joseph Zorzin of Orange; her younger siblings Kathy Tamulevich and her husband Jack of Stoughton, MA; Paul McCann and his wife Maureen (Baggett) of Bridgewater; Carol Shrand and her husband Joseph Shrand, MD. of Marshfield, MA; and Elsa Amadin and her husband, Ikponwmosa Amadin, of Lake Forest, CA.

Elizabeth began her life in West Roxbury, belonging to Holy Name Church. The McCann's summered in a tiny cottage filled with relatives in the "Irish Riviera" of Marshfield where the family moved permanently in 1963. Her Dad bought her a quarter horse as a 13 year-old and she became an accomplished equestrian, active in the local 4-H club, and teaching horsemanship to her younger siblings. Elizabeth was well known for engaging the Marshfield Hills neighborhood children in her "summer street summer school" program, creating theater, drama and educational opportunities for all.

A 1970 graduate of Marshfield High School, Elizabeth earned her BA at Salem State College, and a PHD in psychology at Boston University. Always an academic, she was a professor of psychology at Keene State College in NH, and later at Westfield State University in MA.

Her many other interests included modern dance, health foods, cooking, organic gardening, holistic medicine and music. Elizabeth performed belly dance professionally in Cambridge Middle eastern cafes in the 80's to broad acclaim.

Elizabeth, always up for an adventure, later moved to Santa Fe in search of an intellectual and spiritual community. There she was introduced to philosophers, writers, mystics and sacred dance which became a lifelong pursuit of mindfulness, self-observation, self-study and service.

After returning to MA, she spent many years volunteering at Camp Caravan's work program. An assistant teacher at the progressive village school, she also provided healthy nutritious meals for the movement's many workshops and retreats.She and her life partner, Joe Zorzin, a forester, were true environmentalists and shared a love of the outdoors, gardening, landscaping and transforming their property into a backyard Oasis.

Elizabeth was close to her many nieces and nephews and will be deeply missed by Sam Tamulevich and his wife Lauren, Racheal Tamulevich, Sophia Shrand and her husband Brendan, Jason Shrand and his fiancee Elizabeth, Galen Shrand, Rebecca Shrand, Evan, Connor, Rory, Tristan, and Tessa McCann, and Lincoln, Elijah, and Dorothea Amadin. Elizabeth had a significant role in their lives throughout the years. From babysitting her many nieces and nephews, sharing with them her knowledge of gardening, nutrition, dancing, their parents pasts, and life in general, to cooking & celebrating at family parties. Elizabeth provided loving end of life care for her mother Dorothy. She was often relied upon to help out, was admired, adored, and dearly loved.

A celebration of Elizabeth's life will be celebrated at the North Community Church, 72 Old Main St., Marshfield, MA, on Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 am.

Thank you, Elizabeth. You are already missed but your legacy of warmth, family, and community continue.

Please consider a donation in Elizabeth's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate