Judy and Susie shared a special bond, and created cherished memories.
St. Louis Center acknowledges the passing of a pioneer in parenting a child with developmental disabilities.
Dr. Judith Greenbaum was an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than half a century. She was an author and lecturer with a PhD in Special Education, and a St. Louis Center parent.
Judy was born and raised in Upper Manhattan. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, and was married one week after graduation. Four children followed; the youngest, Susie, was born with intellectual disabilities.
Susie’s birth launched Judy on a new path. She could not find a preschool that would take her, and she became Susie’s advocate. Her struggle led her to meet individuals who were working to put special education on the ballot in Michigan. As a result of their efforts, the Michigan Mandatory Special Education Act passed in 1971 and became law in 1973.
December 23,1964-July 3, 2025
Susie passed away a few short weeks after her mother. She lived at St. Louis Center since the launch of the women’s program in 2001.
Susie took pride in choosing her outfit each day, down to the jewlery. But her greatest love was her mother, Judy. Arriving home from work each day she would declare, “Mom would be so proud.”
Her enthusiasm will be greatly missed.
Sadly, in 1973 her husband, who was also very active in the struggle for mandatory special education, passed away. She recalls that period and raising her children alone. “A dark cloud settled over the family, but the children’s presence helped a great deal.”
At 40, Judy began her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, studying under Professor Percy Bates, also a member of the Legacy Campaign Committee. The PhD would be, in her words, her “union card” to a good job.
Dr. Greenbaum wrote five books on topics related to special education and IDD, the latest of which, Life Planning for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, was published in 2007.
Judy passed away on June 14th at the age of 93 after living a full life. She made a significant difference in the world for many, but her greatest accomplishment was raising her four children.
Both Judy and her late husband, Lawrence, were cited in a recent short film about the history of disability advocacy in Ann Arbor. View the film at: aadl.org/resiliencerevealed
Books Written by Judith Greenbaum
Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!
