ASA Mourns Tragic Loss of a Beautiful Person, Loving Mother
Autism Advocate Leaves Behind Legacy of Devotion to
Autism Advocacy
“My friend and fellow parent, Liz Birt, passed away on
Wednesday, December 28, 2005, following a car accident in Aspen, CO.
The autism community lost a beautiful person, and a beautiful mind,”
said Jeff Sell, ASA's Director of Chapters & Membership. “Liz was a
philanthropist and advocate for children with autism and related
disorders; her son Matthew was diagnosed with autism in 1996. Liz was a
devoted and loving mother to Matthew, Sarah, and Andrew. Our heartfelt
thoughts and prayers go out to Liz's children and family.”
Liz, a native of Kansas City, MO, founded the non-profit
group Medical Intervention for Autism and was a founding director of
SafeMinds and A-CHAMP. She, along with several other mothers, became
known nationally as the "Mercury Moms" for their stance against
thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in vaccines. She also
helped develop Extreme Sports Camp in Aspen, CO, as well as Thoughtful
House Center for Children in Austin, TX. Professionally, Liz was a
health care and tax attorney.
Along with her children, Liz also is survived by her
father, James G. Birt; her two brothers, James E. Birt and George G.
Birt; her aunts, Maria Bartocci and Barbara Birt; her uncle, Carlo
Bartocci; her cousins, Cristina Bartocci, Margherita Timelin, Jeanne
Snowden, and Jaci Birt; her nieces, Betsey Birt, Meredith Birt, and
Alexa Birt; and her nephew, Tim Birt.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:30am on Thursday,
January 5, 2006 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 6415 Holmes St., Kansas
City, MO. A burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge
Blvd. Friends may visit Wednesday, January 4 from 6:30-8pm at D.W.
Newcomer's Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, preceded by
a rosary from 6-6:30pm.
The Elizabeth Ann Birt Memorial Fund for Truth and Love
has been set up to fund on-going research of autism and to help the
many families who have unmet financial needs for care and treatment of
their affected children. Contributions can be sent to Thoughtful House,
Liz Birt Memorial Fund, 3001 Bee Caves Road, Austin, TX 78746.
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