Esther Stillman Thelen

Esther Stillman Thelen, 63, of Bloomington, IN, and Lakeside, MI, died Dec. 29, 2004, of cancer. A memorial service will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Indiana University, 275 N. Jordan Ave., Bloomington, IN. A developmental psychologist at Indiana University, she revolutionized thinking about how babies learn to walk, reach and accomplish early mental tasks. Her theoretical breakthroughs influenced scholars in many fields. She was also a beloved mentor. She was born May 20, 1941, in Brooklyn, NY. Survivors include her husband of 42 years, David Thelen; her daughter and her son; her sister; and one grandson. Memorial contributions are suggested to a fund advancing her work (Esther Thelen Memorial Fund - IU Foundation, c/o IU Psychology Department, 1101 E. 10th St., Bloomington, IN, 47405), or to any children's charity.