Norma Teena Willard

Norma “Teena” Willard, known as the “Mother of Autism”, age 87 passed away on Tuesday October 25, 2016. She was preceded in death by Dr. Ben C. Willard Jr., former Chief of Pathology at O.R.M.C.; her son, Dr. Joseph L. Priest, and sisters, Netsy Terry and Kathryn Claybourne. Having provided a refuge for autistic and severely dysfunctional children and adults, that no one else could manage or want, she founded Threshold Center for Autism in 1976. Recipient of the “Jefferson Award” nationally recognized for outstanding public service benefitting local communities, she served for forty years as the President and CEO of Threshold Center for Autism. Known for her compassionate advocacy for the special needs population and their families, she also received the “Everyday Heroes” award from Channel 13, as well as other numerous civic charitable awards. She will be missed deeply and never forgotten. Her passing is not only a loss for the family and friends but for the community as a whole. Teena Willard is survived by her sons, Benjamin Charles Willard III, Bob Wright and wife Jude Ann, Frank Wright and wife Roxanne, daughters, Dr. Sarah Willard, Mary Brooks and husband Tim, Judy Dennis and husband James; eight grandchildren, Tabatha Crosby and husband Chris, Marylee McCaffrey, Kristen Brown and husband Mike, Jason Eichler and wife Heather, Rob Wright and wife Kelly, Jefferson Wright, Brian Wright and wife Rachael, Patrick Oliver Jones; eight great grandchildren, Ryan McCaffrey, Adam McCaffrey, Meghan McCaffrey, Hailey Brown, Kohen Brown, Brady Eichler, Kelsea Eichler and Hayden Wright and brother in law, Clyde Willard. Nieces and nephews include: Twinkle Terry Tindall and her husband John; Faith Bartlett Terry, her late husband Jock G. Terry and their daughters Amber and Amanda (Husband Scott); Niki Bryan and her children Dowell, Caroline, Alex and Breese; Mark Terry and his wife Jane and their children Jillian and George; and George Terry. Thomas Claiborne and Mary Kay (Claiborne) Hart, her daughter Valentine Hart Trent and her husband Zacchary and son Russell. The family will receive friends Monday October 31st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home located at 7520 Aloma Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. The funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday November 1st at 1:00pm at the Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home. The internment will follow in the Chapel Hill Cemetery. Please visit our family guest book and sign, leave a note or remembrance at www.baldwinfairchild.com.