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Her late husband changed American life forever by inventing—among other things—the shut-off valve and the milk carton; then the august appellation “Dame Of A Most Venerable Order” was bestowed upon her by Her Majesty The Queen of England; and now yet another most venerable chapter has been added to her biography: for the first time in history, the Dame Celia Lipton Farris Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to, well, Dame Celia Lipton Farris. Henceforth and in perpetuity, each year said trophy will go to one select individual whose contributions to the American Cancer Society approximate the eponymous dame’s three decades of unremitting dedication to this organization.
The award ceremony occurred in the context of the American Cancer Society’s “Golden Anniversary Gala” at the Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, marking 50 years on the frontlines of the war on cancer. The evening kicked off with the mellifluous serenading of violins at a poolside champagne and caviar reception, whereupon the more than 550 guests were herded into the Grand Ballroom for dinner and dancing, punctuated with the aforementioned presenting of the brand-new Celia Award (crafted and donated by Tiffany&Co), the auctioning-off of a sparkly bijou by jewelry sponsor Chopard, and a supersonic morsel of showmanship by Mr. Wayne Newton. Happily, the change in humidity levels between Las Vegas and Florida had affected neither his voice nor his hair.
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