In Memoriam: October 2024-January 2025

Edward J. Lawler

July 26, 1944–Oct. 11, 2024

Following his service to the U.S. Navy, which included three tours of duty in Vietnam, Edward Joseph Lawler (Eddie) attended UNCW to pursue a bachelor’s in accounting.

While in school, he worked in the shoe department at Belk Beery in downtown Wilmington, later becoming a division manager at Belk where he worked until he retired. After retirement, he became a real estate agent with Intracoastal Realty. Eddie was devoted to community service and leadership, earning numerous awards.

A committed Seahawk, Eddie and his wife of 56 years, Jean Anderson Lawler, were the recipients of the 2022 UNCW Distinguished Alumni Award for their dedication and service to his alma mater. Eddie was also a member of The Seahawk Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha Louise Jeffords and Edward Joseph Lawler. He is survived by his wife, his “daughter nieces” Lisa and Laurie, his grandchildren, Owen and Taylor, and two sisters-in-law, Peggy Anderson Russell and Susan Anderson Hickman (Dan).

Philip D. Sherman

Sept. 23, 1941–Dec. 28, 2024

Throughout his lifetime, Philip Sherman was a passionate student of history, an avid reader, fond of art and music and a world traveler. Philip, with his sister Ann, endowed the Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture Series at UNCW in honor of their parents, Virginia and Derrick Sherman, who were long-time friends of the UNCW history department.

A resident of Bronxville, NY, Philip graduated from the University of Michigan, traveled to India on a Fulbright Scholarship where he taught English, and attended Harvard Business School. He spent his career in Asia and Europe for First National City Bank (Citibank) and Singapore, working
as CEO for ASIA Limited.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Virgina Brillinger Sherman and Derrick Alson Sherman; and his sister, Ann Sherman-Skiba. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Birgitta; his four children, Colin (Patricia), Antonia, John (Sorca) and Peter (Annie); his seven grandchildren, Philip, Max, Henrik, Aodhán, Elsa, Lucy, and Victoria; and one great-grandchild, Vivienne.

Jane Cecilia Simms Strouse

Dec. 20, 1944-Dec. 10, 2024

Beloved wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and cherished friend, Celia leaves behind a legacy of love, family and unwavering support that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Celia and her husband of 58 years, Jim, created The UNCW Jim and Celia Strouse Scholarship in Nursing to support deserving UNCW nursing students with financial need. She was also a long-time member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW.

Born to Hugh and Evelyn Simms in Baltimore, Maryland, she was one of four daughters. Raised in Frederick, Maryland, she graduated from St. John’s Catholic Prep and the College of Notre Dame at Baltimore.

Celia is survived by her husband; sons Brad and Brent; daughters-in-law Marijke and Melissa; and grandchildren Alexei, Chloe, Gavin and Shane. She is also survived by sisters Judy, Betty and Franny; brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and friends too numerous to count. She was preceded in death by grandchildren Nikolai and Landon.