Abstract
September 16, 1929-April 16, 2016
Teresa M. Lawrence (Terry), the founding editor of TEACHING Exceptional Children, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving friends, her minister and some of her favorite music on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at MidState Medical Center in Meriden, Connecticut. For almost seven years Terry lived at Ashlar Village, a retirement community in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Terry was born in Brooklyn, NY—the youngest child of John and Josephine LoGuidici. She was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters. Terry was blessed to have many nieces and nephews and remained in weekly contact with nieces in Florida and on Long Island.
After receiving her Ph.D., Terry came to CEC and was the first editor of TEACHING Exceptional Children (November, 1968). She remained at CEC until she went to Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven as a professor in 1971. Terry retired from Southern in 1989. Her advocacy for young children with special needs was central to the development of services and regulations for early childhood special education in the state of Connecticut.
Her family received many letters and notices of appreciation for her work from state representatives, former colleagues, and students after her death. After retirement, Terry returned to school in Manhattan, and in 2004, she became an ordained interfaith minister.
Terry’s passions included her faith. She was an active and involved member of the Unitarian Society of New Haven in Hamden, CT. She also loved fishing—always throwing the fish back; travel—as an Italian, particularly to Italy; and her large circle of friends and students.
A memorial service was held at the Unitarian Society of New Haven on Saturday, June 4, 2016.