Elena Lynn Lawrence

Elena Lynn Lawrence, 43, passed away peacefully at her home in Ft. Collins, CO on December 15, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services were held at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Monday, December 19, 2011. Elena will be buried next to her father at Lost Prairie Cemetery in Texas on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Elena was born February 10, 1968 in Lubbock, TX to Stephen and Lynda (Sims) Lawrence, the first of three children. She graduated from Duke University in 1990 and received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1995 where she was honored as an Editor of the Virginia Law Review. She moved to Denver and worked first in private practice and then for the Securities and Exchange Commission for many years. Deciding to combine her love of singing with a devotion to serving others, Elena moved to Ft. Collins to pursue a degree in Music Therapy from Colorado State University. When those plans became impractical after a stroke in 2006 and an ensuing diagnosis of breast cancer, Elena turned her efforts toward not only battling her own cancer but toward supporting and inspiring others engaged in the same struggle. She was very active in a multitude of cancer support groups and became a peer mentor to many women in their struggles. Elena was also active in the Junior League and labored tirelessly to uplift other women in their misfortunes. She never abandoned her love of singing and was active in her choir at First United Methodist Church. She was a woman of deep faith and humility and lived as a gentle Christian witness to all those whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her father, Stephen, and her beloved aunt, Lana. Elena is survived by her mother, Lynda; her brother, Robert, sister-in-law Kelley, and nephews, Alec and Zac; her brother, Michael; her uncle Fred and aunt Nellie Lawrence; her uncle Kenneth and aunt Harriet Sims; her cousins and many friends. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to Hope Lives!, 2629 Redwing Rd. Suite 260, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525.