Private Memorial Planned For McLean Psychiatrist

A private memorial service for Dr. Mark Lawrence, who was killed in what police are calling a murder-suicide July 22, has been scheduled for Oct. 2.

The family will be sending email invitations to the memorial service. If you are a friend, colleague or patient interested in attending and are not sure that Mark's family will know to contact you, please email marklawrencememorial@gmail.com and state your connection to Mark or his family.

Lawrence, 71, lived and practiced psychiatry in the Washington area for more than 40 years.

He grew up in Gary, Ind. and attended Amherst College and Harvard Medical School, both in Massachusetts, on academic scholarships. He trained at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and also served on the psychiatric faculties of Georgetown University Medical School and St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

Lawrence moved to the Washington area in 1969 after completing his residency, said his daughter, Katherine Lawrence.

The family moved into a McLean house in 1974 that was designed by Lawrence's wife, Karen, Katherine Lawrence said.

Up until his death, Lawrence taught classes on imagery and ego-state therapy.

Colleagues say Lawrence was a gifted psychiatrist who mentored hundreds of therapists.

"He was an incredibly kind, generous person, with a huge heart," said colleague, Dr. Cynthia Margolies, in an interview with the Associated Press. "He was very dedicated to both his patients and he trained and was a mentor to many, many therapists locally."

Margolies was part of the Center for Healing and Imagery, which Lawrence co-founded in 1984.

He served as a group therapist and was skilled at working with disturbed people, Margolies told the AP.

"He was both brilliant and compassionate, a pretty unique combination," she said.

In 2005, Lawrence was diagnosed and cured of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and returned to vigorous semi-retirement, enjoying tennis, skiing on snow and water, and wakeboarding.

In addition to his wife and daughter, survivors include a son-in-law, Darryl Weber, and a 2-year-old grandson, Julian.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, 115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006.