Emily Florence (Siegel) Camin

A celebration of life for Emily Florence Siegel Camin, 94, Lawrence will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

She was born October 24, 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio, and died April 13, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas, her home of 60 years. Emily was the youngest of five children born to Eva Novak and Nathan Siegel. She married the love of her life, Joseph Harvey Camin, in wartime, March 20, 1943, and together they lived in Columbus, Ohio; Brookings, South Dakota; Arlington Heights, Illinois; and Lawrence, as the husband she called “Harv” pursued his academic and professional careers. Emily was a partner in her husband’s work from typing his PhD dissertation to sharing in the excitement of scientific research and befriending his many students.

Emily was a lifelong learner, but did not follow a conventional path, pursuing her interests by reading voraciously, keeping current on world events, and deep conversations with others. She had an extensive and varied book collection and abiding love of the library. In Lawrence, Emily was a 14-year volunteer storyteller at the Children’s Department in the Lawrence Public Library for which she received the Mary Murphy Memorial award for 1988. She developed a Toddler’s Story-hour and was regarded “as important to the functioning of the Children’s Department as any staff member and she does it all for love.”

Her love of children and education also took her to service at the Children’s Hour preschool in the 1960s and she served as an officer with the Douglas County Mental Health Association. Her interest in action and advocacy led to service with the League of Women Voters, including as President of the Lawrence chapter.

Emily loved her family dearly, all of whom she could best at “Jeopardy”: daughters Nomi (Larry) Redding of Lawrence and Mimi (Scott) Gaustad of Ukiah, CA; grandchildren Layna Blurton, Jessica Redding-Newhouse, and Evan Gaustad; and greatgrandchildren Emmy and Kai Newhouse and Oliver and Miles Blurton. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and four older siblings, two nieces, and an infant grandchild.

The family appreciates the kind care and devotion shown to Emily in the last years of her life from Helping Hand Home Health Care, Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community, LMH staff and Dr. Huerter, and Great Lakes Hospice. Till the end Emily was interested in meeting new people and learning new ways to understand the world. Offering fundamental support every step of the way were her long-time friends whose gifts of love and laughter will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Lawrence Public Library children’s program, League of Women Voters, Ballard Community Services, or charity of the donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

The family will greet friends Noon Sunday, April 22, 2018 one hour prior to the service at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.