Mark A. Lawrence

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Amherst College

Mark Lawrence Obituary

MARK ALLEN LAWRENCE, M.D. (Age 71)
Died on July 22, 2011, at his home in McLean, Virginia. Mark was a psychiatrist who ad lived and practiced in the DC area since 1969. He grew up in Gary, Indiana. He attended Amherst College and Harvard Medical School on academic scholarships and trained at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. Colleagues describe Mark as a gifted psychiatrist and mentor to hundreds of therapists. Up until his death, he continued to teach classes about imagery and ego-state therapy. In 2005, he was diagnosed and cured of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and returned to vigorous semi-retirement. In the years before his death, he continued to play tennis, snow ski, water ski, and wakeboard. He leaves behind his loving wife Karen, daughter Katherine (Kathy), son-in-law Darryl Weber, and a two-year-old grandson Julian. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, www.lymphoma.org, 115 Broadway, NY, NY 10006. A memorial service will be held in September or October, to which family, friends, and colleagues will be invited. For more information, visit www.fmfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 29, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Lawrence

12 Entries

Patrick Foretich

July 23, 2025

Mark was a great therapist. I wouldn't be here if not for his gifted talents. I still remember his advice, his voice.

Patrick Foretich

August 19, 2011

Dear Karen and Kathy - I am so sorry for your loss. I was his patient during the 80's. I could never thank him enough for how much he helped me to regain my life. His way of relating to his patients was so welcomed. I still remember his advice, his voice. My prayers are with you during this time.

john chomeau

August 1, 2011

Dear Karen, Kathy and family. We send our deepest sympathy to you during this time. Mark was very helpful to all of us as we were growing up in an extraordinary neighborhood. Our travels have been muted by his loss and we are surrounding you with prayer during this time. Our love to you!!!
Gayle, Britt and John Chomeau

Frumeth Hirsh

July 31, 2011

As a very old admirer from Mark's days in Gary, Indiana, at our shul and at Horace Mann High School, I send my condolences. Even in those early years, his star shone brightly. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Maria and John Chomeau

July 31, 2011

We consider your tragedy such a great personal loss to us as well. We have known Mark and Karen (and Kathy of course) even before they built their beautiful log house on Tebb's Lane. (Actually Karen saw to it that our kids kept busy with the construction effort). We have been so close over the years and have shared so many wonderful experiences. It is such a huge loss and yet we want to be ever more attentive now to Karen and her needs. Mark will always hold a special place in our hearts

Graham Brent

July 31, 2011

I knew Dr. Lawrence for a little under two years. It's not too much to say that in that short time he changed my life. He had such a sense of peace and calm about him I instantly became more relaxed in his presence. His insight was just dazzling. What a sad and tragic loss. I pray for his family as they grieve during this awfully difficult time.

Terry Furst

July 30, 2011

Dr.Lawrence was both my and my husband's therapist for several years before and through our wedding in 1982, and though we moved West, I have continued to visit with him each time I have returned to the DC area. I was just planning to try to see him in Sept. when I will be there.

I always knew I might have to face his death one day, but I never could have imagined it would happen in this way. I am sick and shocked and so sad about it, as I know everyone who ever knew him is. He has had such a profound and positive influence on the psychological and emotional life of both of us, and thus our children, I know he lives on in hundreds of lives.

I also know this cannot begin to comfort his family at this time. I grieve for them deeply. Karen, Kathy, Darryl, and Julian please know that the thoughts of all who knew him are with you, and that he will be so very missed by so many.

Toward the end of my therapy, he worked with me to call him Mark, but the truth is, he will always be Dr. Lawrence to me.

July 30, 2011

Words fail to express the enormity of the loss of Mark. His compassion, passion, creativity, intellignece, and deep commitment to his patients and the possibility of healing were unique. My deepest condolences to his family. As a former patient and student of his, I will always carry him. May his message of tolerance, love, compassion and acceptance, despite the circumstances of his loss, remain strong.
A colleague, Washington, DC

Diane Tilley

July 29, 2011

Mark was my therapist during the 1980s and he changed my life forever. I cannot find the words to express how much I respected this man and all he gave to the world. Though I haven't seen him in a long time he's been ever present in my mind all these years. He taught me how to think in such a positive way. My prayers to his family. He may have left this planet, but his spirit lives on in all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A patient

July 29, 2011

My deepest sympathies to Mark's family. As a patient I am feeling desperately sad, but your feelings of loss are unfathomable. Mark was a wonderful man and helped so many. this is a true loss for the world.

July 29, 2011

Hello, My name is Judy (Schwartz) Dennen and I grew up with Mark. We lived 2 blocks away and my mother would baby sit with Mark and his brother and sister. We went to the same high school and he will always be in my memory. My parents were friends with Charlotte and Nate and the family was wonderful. Mark will remain in my memory and I send my sympathy to Karen and the whole family. Sincerely. Judy Dennen (nee Schwartz)

John Toker

July 29, 2011

Mark Lawrence was a good friend of mine. We played tennis on a weekly basis for the past several years. I struggle to write this, as the loss is so painful, and how he died defies all but the slightest of statistics. Mark was truly a brilliant psychiatrist, and someone who embraced the discipline of being an intellectual; he enjoyed learning in a comprehensive and respectful way. We talked about philosophy, politics, and sports; there was emphasis on personal empowerment, and appreciation for achieving excellence. Having worked as a psychotherapist, I can tell you, as many others relate, that he was a role model for people whom provided mental health treatment.

Given that Mark took such good care of himself and could run around the tennis court, more like someone in his twenties, I sadly say that we probably missed having him for what would have been many more years. Albeit, the countless lessons, and inspiration that Mark afforded us live strong!

My mantra is, "Mark would want me to move forward in my own life." I have finally been a able to cry about this heartbreaking loss as these words unfold now.

May the many who are suffering from losing Mark from this mortal world be soothed in what he would want for you! My prayers are with Mark, his family, and friends.

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