Tappan Zee High School

Obituary

Lois Grand, age 61, died January 16, 2006 in Upper Nyack, NY after a lengthy struggle with breast cancer. Despite adverse circumstances, to the very end she lived her life to the fullest with a positive outlook, with strength, with dignity, with courage, with beauty and, most of all, with love. Lois was born on March 15, 1944. She grew up in the Bronx, NY, just a few blocks from her future husband, Jeffrey, who she met as a teenager. They attended her high school prom together and married in November 1965. Thereafter, Lois graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1966. She later received her Masters Degree in special education from The College of New Rochelle. They had two children, Robbie and Eric. Robbie married Julie Spar and they have two children, Molly and Sophie. Lois had a sister, Fern, and two brothers, Stanley and Barry, with whom she was very close, as she was with their spouses, Elliot, Lydia and Cora, as well as her many nieces and nephews. Lois was also a beloved member of Jeffrey's extended family, including his mother Hilda and his sister Marilyn and her children. Lois deeply enjoyed her long and satisfying career as a teacher, first of pre-school aged children and then, for the majority of her career, of children with special needs. In 1981 she assumed leadership of a special education classroom at Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg, NY. Lois renamed the program C.O.V.E. (Consortium for Vocational and Occupational Education) and spearheaded its transformation into an award-winning comprehensive education, vocational and living skills program for developmentally disabled children drawn from numerous school districts throughout Rockland County. Lois was thoroughly dedicated to her students and to making a difference in their lives. The only thing that could pry Lois away from her adored students was her precious grandchildren, Molly and Sophie. They were the joys of her life. She retired from teaching shortly after they were born and devoted her remaining years to spending cherished time with them. She will live forever in our memories and in the memories of so many others that she touched. Funeral Services will be held on January 18, 2006 at 11:45 am at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. In lieu flowers, contributions may be made to either South Orangetown Central School District - C.O.V.E. Program, or to the Greater New York City Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.