Lavonda Cameron
August 01, 1923 - June 21, 2017
Obituary
MADISON-Lavonda “Von” Cameron, age 93, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Capitol Lakes retirement community where she had lived since 2012. Von was born on Aug. 1, 1923, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of Emmet and Lottie (Haas) Donovan. She married John R. Cameron on Aug. 2, 1947, and from then until John’s death in 2005, was his cheerful travel companion around the globe, living in Brazil for two years with their two toddlers, and later making many trips to Europe, India, and the Far East (including China shortly after Westerners were allowed into that country) to accompany John on his professional excursions. At the same time, she raised their daughters, Anne Marie and Carol, and taught them all manner of useful things. Von also served on the Middleton Library Board for many years, as well as volunteering in the gift shop at UW-Hospitals. She was an avid bridge player, a voracious reader, a bicyclist hard to keep up with, a great horse-shoe player and a gracious hostess to guests from all over the world, often on extremely short notice. She had a lively sense of humor disguised behind a modest facade. Von is survived by her daughters, Anne Marie Skye and Carol (Russ Kumai) Cameron; her older sister, Doris; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; and four siblings. A Celebration of Von’s life will be held at CAPITOL LAKES, 333 West Main St., Madison, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017. All are welcome. We request that any memorial be made in her name to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
608-221-5420
Events
Celebration of Life
Sat Jul 22, 2017 @ 2:00 PM CDT
Capitol Lakes • 333 W. Main Street, Madison, WI 53703
Photos
Memories
ML
Margaret Liss
Other •
Please accept my sympathy on the death of your mother. I was a grad student with your father in the late 1960's and remember your mother as the kindest and most gracious hostess at medical physics events, She was always cheerful in spite of putting up with the many demands and pressures of being of being the chairman's wife. I hope she finds the peace and rewards she most deserves.--Margaret
JZ
Jim Zagzebski
Other •
We send our sincerest condolences to Anne Marie, Carol, and Russ. We knew Von through her family's important work that established the field of medical physics at UW Madison. Von knew the importance of team work, and she helped us in medical physics know that we are all family by providing so many opportunities for us to get to know one another outside of lab doors.
Von held dinners at their Breeze Terrace apartments, supported gatherings of medical physicists on the UW campus, and participated in special events, such as "canoe-ins" on the Wisconsin River to the Cameron Lone Rock property and even 7AM breakfast "picnics" at Vilas Park zoo. Von joined her husband John in welcoming so many of us not just as scientists but as family. We learned through her that a career is built upon relationships, and Von was so instrumental in each of our journeys.
We will miss this great woman. She has helped to build a legacy, and we will never forget.
Jim and Ann Marie Zagzebski
CC
Carol Cameron
Other •
Shared a photo.
DK
Debbie Keo
Other •
It was a pleasure getting to know Von. She was so lucky to have such devoted daughters that would visit everyday. Von's humor would always make me smile no matter what kind of day I was having. Know that she is at rest and at peace. We will all miss her at Capitol Lakes.
DM
Darlene & Chuck Mistretta
Other •
Dear AnnMarie, Carol and Russ,
We are happy to have known Von, the wonderful woman that graciously embellished John in all of his endeavors and accomplishments. The gentle presence that will be remembered for her many gifts that added much to John's life. They were a wonderful duo and Von an outstanding woman in her own right!
Darlene and Chuck Mistretta
NS
Nagalingam Suntharalingam
Other •
Dear Anne Marie & Carol,
We have known your parents ever since I went to Madison for my post graduate studies. From that time on they have been a part of our life and guiding us. We cherish our memories of the good times we have had with your parents. we will miss their never failing love and care.
Our children join us in sending our heart felt condolences.
Suntha & Siva
(Suntharalingams, Voorhees, New Jersey)