Emily Hamilton Obituary

Emily Belle Hamilton passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, May 28, 2022, from unknown causes.

Emily came out of the womb wailing on March 15, 1985, in Kansas City, MO. We assumed she was crying, like newborns do, but soon realized she was just performing baby vocal warmups in preparation for a lifetime of singing.

A naturally shy kid, she had no fear of singing in front of audiences at Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence Children's Choir concerts, West Junior High, Theater Lawrence, Broadway at Baker Performing Arts Camp, Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Free State High School, earning applause and awards along the way. She won a scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston where she studied for two years. Later, she attended Johnson County Community College and became a licensed esthetician, a job that connected her to many new friends and colleagues.

Emily leaves her two parents, Rex and Cathy Hamilton of Lawrence: her brother Barrett, sister-in-law Katy, and nephew Ryland Rex (the three lights of her life) of Denver. She is also survived by her maternal grandmother Mignon Johnston Hughes (Dave) of Prairie Village, KS, 4 aunts, 3 uncles, 15 cousins, and several cousins-in-law and their children.

Besides music, Emily loved dogs, houseplants (a LOT!), musical theater, film, a well-executed mani-pedi (her standards were high) and, most of all, her adoring family and amazing friends and "sisters" from the wonderful communities that surrounded her and lifted her up.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests contributions to Lawrence Humane Society or Bert Nash Mental Health Center and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

The only sound more beautiful than Emily's singing voice was her unforgettable, melodious laugh. It was always music to our ears.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.