Marilyn Jeanette Byer

Marilyn Jeanette Byer, Ed.D., died October 31, 2015. She was born October 23, 1930 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the only child of Marie Irene Byer and Edward Lloyd Byer. She earned a General Diploma in 1951 from Ward Belmont College for Women in Nashville, Tennessee and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Therapy from Southern Methodist University in 1953, from where she later earned a Masters of Education Degree. She acted as Director of Special Education in Grand Prairie, Texas, where she developed the first Boy Scout Troop for developmentally challenged boys. From 1957 to 1961 she acted as both teacher and principal for the Children's Development Center in Dallas, Texas. In 1965, Marilyn was awarded a Doctor of Education Degree from Syracuse University, and was selected by University staff to complete a three-month research study in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, evaluating programs for the developmentally disabled. Later that year she accepted a position as Associate Director of Education at Elwyn Institute in Media, Pennsylvania. Dr. Byer developed the first formal curriculum for Elwyn's education program. She joined the staff of The Woods Schools in 1970 as Director of Education and in addition to reorganizing the existing education program, she developed an extensive education program for the teaching staff as well as a training program designed to prepare disabled adults for employment in the greater community. She accepted a position as Program Director of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), Philadelphia in 1976, where she wrote several grants and participated in programs for students, teachers, paraprofessionals and parents of developmentally challenged children. Dr. Byer remained at ARC until 1993 when she retired.

She was the lead actress in "A Future for Peggy", a documentary film made for TV, narrated by Greer Garson. "Peggy" was shown throughout the United States in an effort to raise money for people with Cerebral Palsy. The "Hurdle Award" was presented to Dr. Byer in Dallas for outstanding professional service by a person with a disability. She was a volunteer for amputee patients at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

She moved to Austin, Texas following her retirement where she attended St. Barnabas the Encourager Episcopal Church and enjoyed working with others in several projects. She assisted in the development of a program for at-risk teenage boys and girls. She also helped many in need in Austin. She is survived by several cousins throughout the United States and many friends and caregivers at Brookdale Westlake Hills in Austin, Texas.

There will be a reception and memorial for Dr. Byer at Brookdale Westlake Hills, 1034 Liberty Park Drive, Austin, TX, 78746 in the Garden room from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2015.