Dr. Esther Winkler Shapiro, a pioneering child psychologist in Denver who focused on the needs of children with hearing and learning disabilities, passed away May 26, 2009, in Aurora. She was 89.
Rabbi Sara Gilbert officiated at the May 28 service at Feldman Chapel. Interment followed at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Feldman Mortuary.
Her colleagues considered her a dynamo, the family said. She was known by all as a highly respected, reliable and well-liked colleague.
Dr. Shapiro was born April 29, 1920, in New York City to Samson and Hannah Winkler.
She earned a BS from Queens College in 1941; her RN from the Mt. Sinai School of Nursing in 1944; and her MA in 1951 and PhD in 1961, both from DU.
She served as nurse in the US Army from 1945-1946 and received the Pacific Campaign and WW II victory medals.
On Dec. 14, 1947, Esther Winkler married Norman Shapiro. They later divorced.
Dr. Shapiro moved to Denver in 1947.
A psychologist at The Childrens Hospital from 1967-1985, Dr. Shapiro distinguished herself as a prime diagnostician of childrens developmental and behavioral problems.
She entered private practice with pediatrician Ray Rademacher in 1972, while still on staff at Childrens, and also practiced in conjunction with psychologist Irwin Mattus.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dr. Shapiro traveled around Colorado giving courses in conjunction with the certification program sponsored by the child welfare division of the states Department of Public Welfare.
Gov. John A. Love appointed her to the advisory committee on childcare facilities licensing in 1972.
Dr. Shapiro was active in the Colorado Psychological Assn., for which she chaired the membership committee in 1978.
She also served on the boards of Montview Boulevard Preschool (now the British Primary School) and Havern School in Littleton for decades.
After her retirement in the mid-1980s, she volunteered at Childrens Hospital in psychological records.
A member of Rodef Shalom and the Brandeis University National Womens Committee, Dr. Shapiro was the quartermaster for Jewish War Veterans for many years.
Dr. Shapiro is survived by daughter Amy Shapiro of Binghamtom, NY, and nephews Morris Haimowitz, Lawrence Haimowitz, Jerry Haimowitz and Eliot Winkler.
She was predeceased by her son Andrew Shapiro.
Contributions may be made to the Esther Shapiro Fund at Havern School, 4000 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Littleton, CO 80123.
