Kathleen Lawrence Boas

Kathleen "Kathy" Lawrence Boas passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 15, 2016 at the age of 91 after an extended journey with Alzheimer's Disease. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gilbert Fenno Lawrence, Jr., her parents Gilbert F. and Elsie K. Lawrence, her beloved aunt Edna T. Hertz, her cousins Jane Kennedy McGovern and Frank Kennedy, and by the father of her children, Charles W. Boas. She is survived by her son, Charles L. Boas, his wife Kathleen K. Boas, grandchildren Sarah and Christopher Boas, by her daughter Laura C. Boas, daughter Mary Boas Keller and husband Ruben Keller, daughter Elizabeth "Liz" A. Boas, and by her cousins Joanna Lawrence Pendelton and Judy Hertz Campbell and their families. Kathy was born in Grandview, NY, grew up in New Jersey, obtained her Psychology BA at Penn State, her Master of Social Work at the University of Maryland, and completed work towards a PhD in Public Administration at Penn State. After raising four children in East Berlin, PA, Kathy developed and administered the York County Area Agency on Aging, served as Assistant for Administration to the Bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA, and as field supervisor of students at Temple University School of Social Work, Harrisburg Center. She designed training programs for the AARP and managed housing units for the elderly and disabled for Cumberland County, all in Pennsylvania. In 1995 she closed a successful counseling practice in Harrisburg to move to Austin to be with her children and grandchildren. She became active in social agencies, worked in mental health, and taught Gerontology at the University of Texas.A memorial service will be held October 8th, 2016 at 2:00 PM, at First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave, Austin, TX, to be followed by a reception in the church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy's name to the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Texas, Austin Travis County Integral Care, Hospice Austin, or First English Lutheran Church.