Katie Dolan, a tireless advocate for the Northwest Center passed away on Nov. 11 and she won't be forgotten as memorial fund has been established in her name.

"She was a very strong influence here. She was a special person and was very determined. Nothing was good enough. She created change across the nation," said Sue Chaplik, development director for the Northwest Center.

Dolan, 82, was born on Oct. 31, 1924 in Seattle, where she attended Franklin High School. At the University of Washington, Dolan studied drama and later acted in local theatrical productions.

This led to her work at KIRO television, where she hosted and produced "Women's World," and "Eye On Seattle."

Her son, Patrick was diagnosed with autism in 1950, a mental condition that made it difficult for him to interact socially. People with autism have difficulty communicating and forming relationships with others in using language and abstract concepts.

It was then that Dolan, having trouble finding a school for her son, helped found the Northwest Center in 1965.

She joined forces with other parents to provide support for kids with disabilities while ensuring their rights to an education.

"We did not want to institutionalize him. I went there to talk to other parents about getting help and services for our families," Dolan told the News-Tribune in 2005 when the Northwest Center celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Chaplik said Dolan was a catalyst for change and she made changes at the center that impacted many lives.

The Northwest Center became the largest and most comprehensive service provider in Washington State for the disabled.

The parents brought in teachers to demonstrate how severely developmentally disabled children could learn. This made the parents more determined to have their kids receive an education in regular schools.

A labor leader taught the parents how to lobby to send their message to state lawmakers.

The state constitution mandated there should be funding and education for all children.

Based on that, the Northwest Center lobbied for passage of Education For All, also known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

This became a model for the federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975.

Dolan said the initiative required schools to address the needs of developmentally disabled students rather than push them away.

The 120 students enrolled in the Northwest Center at the time, were then admitted to the public schools.

The Northwest Center went on to start the first ever, integrated Child Development Program with a mix of children with and without disabilities.

Dolan and Julie Taggart founded The Troubleshooters. This organization became The Washington State Protection and Advocacy Agency.

Dolan then started The Chain Reaction, a civil and human rights group. Next, came The Houlahan Foundation which provided scholarships and mentoring for students choosing a career in developmental disability.

For her work, Dolan has been recognized with numerous awards, including: the Rosemary F. Dybward Award; Matrix Award for Outstanding Women of Achievement; The Jefferson Award for Citizenship Service, 2004 Grand Dames; Women Who Influence and Change Our Community Lives; President's Committee on Mental Retardation National Award and many others.

Her last project was the Medicard For All program of the Northwest Center.

The card helps explain what programs developmentally disabled people are eligible for and helps them bypass some of the paper work they need to get services.

"We're saying, no we demand, that people have a coded card. We're getting calls from all over. It's an idea whose time has come and will sweep the country," Dolan said in 2005.

"Katie was my heroine. She was the best. Her advocacy was driven by love, care and commitment. She will be missed. When I had difficulties, she reached out and helped me. Even though we were miles apart, we were together. God Bless Katie," said her friend Patty McGill-Smith of Omaha, NE.

Dolan is survived by her husband of 60 years, Duane and son Partick; daughter, Parul (Gary) Houlahan and granddaughter, Sheila Houlahan; sister, Patricia Borgstrom, nephew John (Mary) Borgstrom; grandnephew, Eric (Delphine), great granddaugter, Stephanie and great grandson, Scott Borgstrom; grandniece, Jeanette (Jeff), great grandniece, Tiffani and great grandnephew, Brian Beste; niece Nora Borgstrom; niece Nora Borgstrom; grandniece, Genny (Mike), great grandniece, Theresa and great grandnephew, Kyle Lucas; grandniece, Helen (Troy) Filosa and Richard Borgstrom-Sweden.

Donations may be made to the Autism Research Institute, SIDS Foundation, Donal Harrington drama scholarship, The Houlahan Foundation or any worth cause in her memory.

The Northwest Center has established the Katie Dolan Memorial Fund to support the Medicard for All project. Call 378-6362.