Lauren Knickerbocker

Lauren Knickerbocker’s precious life with us ended on July 17, 2023, nearly three years after being diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colorectal cancer. She was at home in Hartsdale, NY surrounded by the love of her family at the time of her passing. Our family was so thankful for the support and guidance of Brenda Marie Kranitzky Relyea, aka “Nurse BiBi”, in caring for Lauren’s medical needs at home. Lauren, even at the end of her life, did not resign herself to death. She continued to live her life as she always had, with a strong commitment to the wellbeing of her two young sons, Nolan (8) and William (5), and husband, Daniel Thomas Relyea. All her family, friends and patients were beneficiaries of Lauren’s love, compassionate insight, and enthusiasm for life. Lauren was born in Gainesville, Florida on June 23, 1980. She was the first of two children born to her parents, Margaret “Holly” Dougherty and Jeffrey John Knickerbocker. She became a ‘big sister’ to her brother, Daniel John Knickerbocker, in 1983. Lauren moved with her family and attended grade schools in Fort Collins, CO, Oklahoma City, OK and Miami, FL. She graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School in Miami, FL and went on to earn her B.S. degree from the University of Florida, M.S. degree from San Diego State University, Ph.D. degree from SUNY, Stony Brook, and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Psychology Department at New York University. Following completion of her fellowship, she was hired as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Over the next 10 years, until her death, she served as Co-Director for the Selective Mutism and Early Childhood Programs where she helped improve the lives of countless children and families. Lauren’s death is being mourned by her entire family, friends, colleagues and patients. We thank all of you who have sent us your loving support. Lauren’s family has a personal message to all young people in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s…get screened for colorectal cancer. Oncologists are seeing a significant rise in cases of colorectal cancer in younger people. Since insurance companies do not cover colorectal cancer screening until 45 years of age, lifesaving screening is being delayed. Delayed detection is a death sentence. In lieu of flowers, Lauren’s department at NYU has set up a GOFUNDME page for Lauren’s family: https://gofundme.com/f/lauren-knickerbocker .

Lauren Knickerbocker

June 23, 1980 - July 17, 2023