Thea Spyer

SPYER--Thea C., an extraordinary woman, died peacefully Thursday, February 5 at age 77 from aortic stenosis. Dr. Spyer earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University. She interned at St. Vincent's Hospital, NYC and Veterans Administration, NYC and she later became Director of the Psychiatric Clinic at the International Center for the Disabled and was Clinical Consultant in Rehabilitation at St. Vincent's Hospital, Westchester before concentrating exclusively on her private practice. She was born to Elisabeth Ketellapper and Willem Spyer in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and immigrated to the US States during World War II. Thea was an avid violinist, and golfer and dancer before she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She reinvented herself every year of advancing physical disability to stay active and working and joyous in her life. Told of her death, friends offered the following adjectives: vibrant, witty, courageous, compassionate, insightful, resolute, and beautiful; the epitome of intrepid brilliance. She is survived by her spouse Edie Windsor, whom she married in Toronto Canada in 2007 after 41 years of living together, by her Netherlands cousins, and by her loving friends and former and current patients. A memorial service will be held May 10, location to be announced.