Irene Jill McGinn passed away December 3, just months after retiring from the Long Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office (LIDDSO), where she worked as director.
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution honoring McGinn upon her retirement from the LIDDSO. The resolution said McGinn “rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Long Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office” and called for a celebration of her service on September 16, 2010.
“She has never wavered in her commitment to providing quality services to persons with developmental disabilities, and has worked to support the evolution of supports and services on both practical and philosophical realms,” the Senate statement said.
“In her capacity as Director, Jill McGinn served with loyalty, honor and distinction. In her official acts, Jill McGinn was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems,” the resolution said.
McGinn was born in Virginia and grew up in Pennsylvania. After graduating from college, she worked for the Transitional Services in Pittsburgh, where she coordinated services for people leaving psychiatric institutions and state schools. McGinn went on to work for a nonprofit in Buffalo, providing services to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
McGinn took a job with the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (formerly known as the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) in 1977 in Albany, where she worked in community service development. In 1984, she transferred to the LIDDSO, where she developed community services with local nonprofits.
Back at the Albany office for special assignments, McGinn contributed to the establishment of New York’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver program. In 1991, she transferred back to the Long Island office and in November 2000 became the Coordinator of Operations, overseeing state residential and day programs and nonprofits in Nassau and Suffolk counties. In April 2001, McGinn was named Director of the LIDDSO.
On November 18, 2010 McGinn received The New York Lifetime Achievement Award for 33 years of advocacy work for people with disabilities.
On a tribute webpage, Debbie Hammargren wrote, “Words cannot express the sadness I feel for the loss of my friend Jill. She was a wonderful friend to me and a great role model for me throughout my career. The emptiness I feel now that she's gone can only be diminished by the joy and beautiful memories I will always have as a result of her being an important part of my life for the past 25 plus years. I will truly miss her, as you will.”
McGinn is survived by her sisters Colleen (William) McAleer, Robin (Vincent) Graziano and Debbie (Steven) Garofalo and nine nieces and nephews.
McGinn’s family is accepting memorial contributions to: The National MS Society - Pittsburgh Chapter, 1501 Reedsdale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
This article was published in the January 2011 issue of Able News.
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