Born January 22, 1939 to Jack and Gloria Levand, sister to Arlene and Rhonda, she passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 19, 2005 after a long fight with Cancer. She was an amazing mother to yours truly and my three sisters and adored grandmother to nine grandchildren. |
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She was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, had been a modern dance major at Juliard, and she taught and enjoyed folk dancing throughout her life. A proud graduate of the University of Southern California, she had a long career as a Registered Physical Therapist in Los Angeles and New York City, treating all who needed her renowned skills, gentle caring, and nurturing. With a Master's degree in sensory motor skills from CSUN, she especially enjoyed treating children with disabilities. |
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She continued working through much of her illness because she not only enjoyed treating children, but because she knew she could help many of them (despite the fact that other therapists had been unsuccessful). She finished treating her last patient (picture to right) in November of 2004. That child was born premature was significantly behind developmentally. She would visit him following her radiation treatments even though she had little energy and could not even drive at that point. The week before mom passed away, the child's mother informed us that he had just started walking and attributed it to my mothers help. Another mother wrote to us the same week to let us know that her son was now four years old and was right on track physically and living a normal life, despite a poor prognosis before mom began treating him. |
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