Laurel Ann Van Horn Jaworsky

Laurel Anne Van Horn Jaworsky died following a brief illness on March 14, 2015. Laurel was born October 14, 1936 in Oklahoma City. Laurel is survived by her husband, Jerry Jaworsky, Oklahoma City; her daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Kevin Mulroy, La Crescenta, CA; her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Dorian Van Horn, Dumfries, VA; her daughter and son-in-law, Alyssa and Scott Price, Denison, TX; her grandchildren, Kieran Mulroy, Rebecca Van Horn, Matthew Van Horn, Michael Van Horn, Lysanne Price, and Trent Price, her niece Alisha Davidson, her nephew Steve Overstreet, her mother-in-law Gwen Jaworsky, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carlene and John Holman. Laurel was preceded in death by her daughter Anne Van Horn, her brother Robert Overstreet, her parents, Thelma Warren and Lawrence Overstreet, and her father-in-law Carl Jaworsky. Laurel graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City and received a B.A. Ed. degree in English and Drama from University of Central Oklahoma. She taught English, Speech, and Drama in junior high and high schools within the state for ten years before completing her M.A. Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in Counseling Psychology at the University of Oklahoma in 1970 and 1973. Known as Dr. Laurel Van Horn professionally, she was licensed as a Clinical Psychologist and practiced at the Oklahoma Community Counseling and Guidance Center, the Pauls Valley State School, and Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman where she became Director of Psychology in 1985. Following retirement from Griffin Memorial Hospital, she developed and taught a Behavioral Medicine program for Family Practice residents at St. Anthony Hospital. In 1995, she co-founded Community Pathways Unlimited (CPU), a private mental health agency which provides onsite counseling as well as behavioral health services to clients in 24 hour care. Through CPU, she continued her dedicated service to people with developmental disabilities. Dr. Van Horn was an important early contributor in the development of psychoanalysis in central Oklahoma. She continued her study of psychology receiving certificates from the Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training program at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, and the Colorado Center for Psychoanalytic Studies. She was a member of the Oklahoma Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Oklahoma Society of Psychoanalytic Studies (OSPS). She served in numerous roles in OSPS until the time of her illness and sudden death. She was a psychologist, teacher, mentor, board member, discussant in seminars, and advisor to many mental health professionals involved in the psychoanalytic journey. Her tireless energy and generosity in helping others will not be forgotten. Laurel also had a lifelong love of the theater and acted in numerous community productions in Norman and Oklahoma City. For the last 31 years she was a staunch supporter of the Carpenter Square Theatre in Oklahoma City where she performed in numerous productions, served on the Board of Directors and the play selection committee, and was honored for her many contributions in the 2011 "Best in Ten" benefit. Laurel was also a loyal fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder and OU athletics. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, mentor, and friend and leaves behind family, friends, and colleagues whose lives were profoundly enriched by her kindness and generosity of spirit. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 N.W. 15th Street, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carpenter Square Theatre, 806 West Main St., OKC, 73106 or to Meadowbrook Acres Group Home, 13016 S. Penn, OKC, 73170. Laurel's beloved daughter, Anne lived at Meadowbrook for many years.