DEIRDRE BADER

BADER--Deirdre Russell,

(nee Murphy), beloved wife of Lawrence S. Bader, adoring mother of Ethan Russell Bader, cherished daughter of Daniel Murphy and Sally Kandle, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2014 at the Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. Deirdre was the Executive Director of Star Track, a cycling charity for New York City children between the ages of 7 and 14. Using the City's outdoor velodrome in Kessina Park in Queens, Deirdre founded the charity in connection with New York's bid for the 2012 Olympic games and led Star Track's growth over the past 12 years to the point where, in this year, 300 children were enrolled in Star Track, with a long waiting list. Star Track is a free program that teaches children how to ride specialized bicycles designed for competition on banked tracks called velodromes. It was Deirdre's hope that by learning to ride on a velodrome, the children could develop fitness, self-esteem and teamwork. Deirdre's involvement in competitive cycling began when she was 32 years old, and she retired at the age of 41, having just competed for Ireland in the women's road race in the Sydney Australia Olympics. Deirdre was born and raised in New York City, and while in high school, obtained Irish citizenship at the urging of her father. Years later, representing Ireland, Deirdre raced against international competition in Montevideo, Uruguay in a qualifying race to determine which countries could send their road cycling competitors to the 2000 Olympics. By finishing fourth in that race, Deirdre qualified Ireland to send its first woman road cyclist ever to the Olympics. Deirdre was also the Women's World Masters champion in 1997 for all women over 30 years old, earning her the coveted "Rainbow Jersey" worn by the reigning world's champion in one of cycling's disciplines --in her case, the road race. In her career, she won 81 races. Deirdre married her husband, Lawrence in 2002 and gave birth to their son, Ethan, in 2007. Deirdre was an extraordinarily beautiful woman who embodied generosity of spirit, warmth, loyalty, competitiveness and intelligence. She will be missed terribly by all who knew her. It was her request that in lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory be made to Star Track at "Bike New York/Star Track", 12 East 87th Street, New York, N.Y. 10128. A funeral service will be held at The Brick Presbyterian Church at 1140 Park Avenue on Saturday, November 15 at 11am, followed by a reception.