New York, USA – Hailed a ‘champion of autistic children’ Shirley Ellen Woodward dedicated decades of her life to working with autistic children in institutions around her Long Island home.
The 68 year old retired professional social worker and educator, died in her home in Huntington Bay on Saturday. She had cancer.
During her life Mrs Woodward had championed early diagnosis and therapy and had even helped develop autism guidelines and curriculum in and around the New York educational system.
Her husband of 46 years said in an interview with Newsday.com that:
“She lived an ordinary life and the things she did, she did in extraordinary ways.”
A memorial service will be held Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at Greenlawn Presbyterian Church in Greenlawn.
You can read the full obituary here.