Janice Roccaforte Lawson's Obituary
Janice Roccaforte Lawson went to be with the Lord on September 1, 2024, in San Marcos, TX. She was born on August 7, 1931, in Houston, Texas to Anna Mannina and Baldassaro N. Roccaforte Sr., the youngest of five children. Her early years were grounded in faith, family, and service. Her life was filled with joy, laughter, and grace.
Janice attended Christ the King and graduated from St. Agnes Academy, where she was an active member of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and chosen as Houston Coronation Ball Queen. She was a St. Agnes cheerleader for St. Thomas Catholic High School. Janice attended the University of Texas at Austin, where her childhood sweetheart, "Nick" Samuel Gus Campise, also was enrolled. They married in 1950, honeymooned at Niagara Falls, and welcomed two daughters, Janice Campise and Valanna Campise. Nick's career took their family to the sunny beaches of Beverly Hills to the snowy landscape of Saskatchewan, Canada, before returning to Houston.
Janice married French Weatherly Lawson Jr., an independent oilman of Houston in 1958. Together, they had a daughter, Maria Lisa Lawson, in 1961. They celebrated 45 years of marriage before French went to be with the Lord in 2003.
Janice was passionate about many things, including American and Texana heritage. She and French built the first Pennsylvania Dutch barn-style home in Houston, decorating it with antiques they collected. Her love for travel took her across the globe, but one of her most cherished trips was accompanying her mother to Italy and Sicily to explore their family ancestry. Janice also devoted herself to sharing her love for God through her actions and compassion for others.
One of Janice’s finest achievements was restoring a historical double log home in Round Top, Texas, which earned both Texas and National Historical designation plaques for its significance in Texas history. She also worked to preserve original Texas Longhorn bloodlines in a progeny herd on their Texana Plantation. French and Janice were active with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and supported University of Houston.
Janice’s life was rich with love, family, and faith. She was involved in her daughters’ Christian growth and supported them in all their endeavors, from dance to pageants. She was a lifelong learner, loved sewing, decorating, taught modeling and charm, and had a passion for early Texas history and antiques. Janice was vivacious with a beautiful smile, welcoming spirit and infectious enthusiasm for life which left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
Janice was always present at her grandchildren’s events, whether it was ballet recitals, sports, or school performances. She loved hosting family gatherings and was famous for her home-cooked meals, especially her fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, and chili. Holidays at her home were filled with warmth, joy, and tradition.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, French W. Lawson Jr.; her daughter, Maria Lisa Lawson; her parents; Anna Mannina Roccaforte and Baldassaro N. Roccaforte Sr.; sister, Anna Lee Roccaforte Fogle; and her brothers, N.J. Roccaforte, Samuel G. Roccaforte, and B.N. Roccaforte; godfather, Benedict Joseph O’Leary.
She is survived by her daughters, Janice Campise Perez (David) and Valanna Campise Reed (John); her five grandchildren, Anna Capri Perez, Nick Christian Reed (Martina) Michelle Reed Dellinger (Antoine), John Christopher Reed (Chelsea), Camilla Reed Korson (Adam), and stepson, Gary Lance Lawson. She was thrilled to have nine great-grandchildren: Jessica and Nora Reed; Arabella, Ameline, and Eleonore Dellinger; Heidi and John Callum Reed; and Levi and Lakelyn Korson; niece; Geneva Feuge (Terry), nephews; Jonathan Fogel (Angela), N.J. Roccaforte (Julie), Samuel Roccaforte, and Chris Roccaforte.
Janice will be dearly missed by her family, beloved great nieces and nephews, extended family, and many friends.
Casket bearers are grandsons, Nick Reed, John Reed, Antoine Dellinger, Adam Korson, and great-nephews Andy Roccaforte and Matthew Feuge.
Funeral Mass is to be held September 13, 2024, Friday, 10:30 a.m. at
St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Dr., Houston, TX.
Visitation at 9:30 a.m.
Reception following at St. Cecelia Community Center 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Procession from church to Internment 1:30 p.m.
Internment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX
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