Page created by: Jeremy Lawrence

One of the world’s most avid birders is now flying high with the creatures she so dearly loved. Celia Lawrence, living the last few years of her life in Lawrenceburg, KY, passed away in the early hours of October 18th, 2019 at the age of 86 after a nearly 30-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Celia was born in September of 1933 in East Prairie Missouri, the daughter of Charles Parker and Hazel Clark. She had three siblings, Clifton, Charles, and Barbara, who preceded her in death. A farming family, Celia grew up working on the farm and in cotton fields, with her eye on going to college. She majored in Biology at Berea College, and throughout her life fondly shared memories of her experiences there. She was introduced to Robert (Bob), a dental student at the University of Louisville. The two married in 1960 and made their home in Louisville.

Celia was Mom to four cherished children, Stephanie, Melissa, Jonathan, and Jeremy. When one of her sons, Jonathan, passed away from Leukemia at age 5, it was the most devastating loss of her life. She devoted herself to raising her other children, teaching them all of the things she loved. Because of her, all three are experienced birders, talented cooks, and lovers of animals and classical music.

Even as she raised her family, Celia pursued her passions with fervor and a sense of independence and adventure uncommon for many women of her generation. She has gone birding all over the globe, seeing some of the world’s rarest birds. She was a long time and devoted member of Beckham Bird Club holding board positions within the Club. She has rafted and camped along the Amazon River and the Colorado River. She studied art in Europe, and spent a lifetime creating beautiful paintings that would easily be worthy of display in any gallery. She also studied French and enjoyed her travels to France.

In her later years, Celia moved to Albuquerque to be near her son and beloved grandchildren. She eventually returned to her homeland in Kentucky, with her final residence at Heritage Hall. Her great-granddaughter, Lucy, was a special source of joy to her in her final years.

She fought her battle with Parkinson’s Disease bravely and was determined not to let it stop her from pursuing her most cherished pastime of birding. She sought cutting edge treatments, such as deep brain stimulation, and new drugs to help with her battle. Although Parkinson's took away most of her mobility in her later years, she would still go birding in her wheel chair, peering through her binoculars and calling out to her beloved birds.

Celia is loved and will be missed by all who knew her. The family takes comfort in knowing that her suffering has ended. If anyone is so inclined, they can honor her by making a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research on her tribute page.