Judith LeBlanc Obituary

Judith M. LeBlanc, Ph.D. (Judy), a renowned psychologist, teacher, and special education researcher, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24th, 2023, at the age of 87, surrounded by her closest friends and adopted family.

Judy was born in Beaumont, Texas, on January 3rd, 1936. She graduated from Beaumont High School and received her B.A. in Psychology from Southern Methodist University, her M.A. in Psychology from Kansas State University at Pittsburg, and her Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas.

She was a Professor at the Department of Human Development and Family Life of the University of Kansas (now Department of Applied Behavioral Science), where she served as Co-Chairperson. Her research positions include Director of the Edna A. Hill Child Development Laboratory, Director of the Institute for Research in Early Childhood Education of the Handicapped, and Associate Director for International Development of the Schiefelbusch Institute for Research in Life Span Studies.

She traveled extensively, gave presentations and addresses worldwide, and published numerous journal articles, chapters, and books. She was a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and an active member of the American Psychological Association and the International Association of Behavior Analysis.

Judy considered her most significant achievement the work she did with Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP), a special education research and training center in Lima, Peru, where she served as a consultant for over 30 years. At the center, she developed the Functional Natural Curriculum, an innovative teaching approach that has changed the lives of thousands of students with different abilities, and which is being used in many other centers throughout Latin America.

Her many awards include the Outstanding Contribution Award for International Development in Behavior Analysis from the Association for Behavior Analysis and inductions to the University of Kansas Women's Hall of Fame and the Women in Behavior Analysis Hall of Fame.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Eunice and Clifford LeBlanc, and her brothers, Tommy and Cliff LeBlanc. Judy is survived by her adopted family, Liliana and Alonso Mayo, as well as countless close friends in Lawrence, Kansas, Lima, Peru, and all around the world.

Judy's family and friends would like to express their most heartfelt appreciation to Neuvant House of Lawrence for their care and support in her last years of life.

In lieu of flowers, Judy requested memorial contributions to Center Ann Sullivan International (CASI), the non-profit organization she founded and presided over for many years that continues the work she started in Peru. Donations can be made online at https://www.en.annsullivanperu.org/donate, or by check made out to "CASI" to:

The Trust Company of Kansas

Attn: Center Ann Sullivan International (CASI)

730 New Hampshire Street, Suite 205

Lawrence KS, 66044

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.