COURIER-JOURNAL OBITUARY - 09/14/2011
SERPELL, CORNELIA ATHERTON, was born March 7, 1917 to Cornelia A. Atherton and Peter Lee Atherton in Glenview, KY and she took her last breath on Earth and peacefully entered Heaven in God's care on September 10, 2011. Preceding her in eternal life are her parents; her sister, Sarah Atherton, and brother, John M. Atherton. Those who remain to honor her and cherish her memory forever are her daughter, Cornelia Yankovich (Robert), four nephews, and a host of friends. Throughout her life she was a champion of many causes related to health and the well being of those challenged with mental health issues. Her work included: Children's Clinics in Eastern KY, where she and an RN rode on horseback to transport patients; Psychiatric In-Patient and Child Guidance Clinics; was Public Relations Director and Coordinator of Patient Rehabilitation for Central State Hospital; chaired fund-raising for the first mobile cancer unit in Kentucky; collaborated in establishing the Kentucky Association for Mental Health; organized statewide mental health committees. She served numerous boards and councils, including: Wellspring, Visiting Nurses Association, Council for Health Services; Kentucky Advisory Council for Mental Health, Commission on Aging, State Board of Medical Licensure, Kentucky Legislature Ethics Commission. She was the recipient of the first Distinguished Alumna Award from Louisville Collegiate School; also she received the Health Kentucky - Service to Humanity Award, the Kilgore Good Samaritan Award, and the President's Award for the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities. Cornelia was a strong force in improving the lives of those who were in need; she lifted them and gave them a chance. She was courageous and steadfast in all facets of her life, and will always remain a beacon of light and an inspiration.Special thanks to caretakers Kathy, Phyllis, and Delanie, who in the last weeks of Cornelia's life, provided loving support. A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Cave Hill Cemetery. Friends should gather at the Broadway entrance at 12:45 p.m. on Friday. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Pearson's entrusted with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy: Wellspring, PO Box 1927, Louisville, KY, 40201-1927.