'Beautiful Couple' Remembered

Former Gov. Michael Dukakis has a photo of two Westborough residents special to him, as well as this community.

The picture shows “Kitty and I walking down the steps of the State House as the outgoing governor in January of 1991. And I’m about to greet Jack and Nancy, who are standing there," Dukakis told a crowd at the Westborough Democratic Town Committee meeting at the Tatnuck Bookseller last Tuesday night. He was the guest speaker.

Jack and Nancy Lawton were active in Democratic politics. Jack Lawton managed Dukakis' 1970 run for lieutenant governor. And Nancy Lawton chaired the Westborough Democratic Town Committee at one point.

The Lawtons died in a car accident in 1991. Jack Lawton was the minister of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at the time. Westborough named Lawton's Way, with a memorial plaque, in their memory.

"They were a beautiful couple," Dukakis said.

Dukakis called the memorial a “reminder” that “none of us win high office ... without the support of people like you, and folks like Jack and Nancy."

The Lawtons' children attended last Tuesday night's event.

Kitty Dukakis said of the Lawtons that “two of the most extraordinary people that I have ever met worked on our campaign."

"And it was such a joy all the time to be able to introduce them as real workers. And they added a touch of everything that was so special."

Current town committee Chairman Kate Donaghue said Tuesday was "very emotional for me."

The Lawtons' accident was "a very, very sad day for all of us," she said, and many people "remember where we were when we heard about it."

Several people who knew the Lawtons shared their memories of the couple during Tuesday night's event.