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The planet is a poorer and darker place without Maryellen. I knew Maryellen first in her role at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals where, whatever her official title may have been, she was most often the first contact anyone had with the agency. She was unfailingly compassionate, wise to the ways of the bureaucracy, and dedicated to the children whose needs the agency was established to serve under the due process provisions of IDEA. Working with my firm, Kotin, Crabtree and Strong, LLP for many years after that, she was a lighthearted, hugely knowledgeable and loving assistant to our special education practice and a wonderful working companion for us at the firm. This is a great loss both to the world of special education advocacy generally and particularly to us at the firm who relied on her skills and friendship for so many years.

I first became friends with Maryellen when I was working at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals almost 20 years ago. Smart, caring and a fabulous sense of humor, she was a remarkable person and it was an honor having known her. My deepest condolences. She will be missed by many.