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MIKSOVIC, RUTH MARCIA SIMMS was born in Chicago, Illinois November 28, 1924 to the Reverend Lacy Simms and Marcia Holmes Simms. She passed away Sunday, July 6, 2014 in Albuquerque. Ruth grew up in Chicago, San Antonio, and San Francisco, where her father, a Presbyterian minister, had various pastorates. Ruth lived in Albuquerque for more than fifty years. A graduate of El Paso High with honors, Ruth earned a B.A. in early childhood education at Park University, MO, and a M.S. in special education from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Ruth, a lyric soprano, studied voice for more than eight years in high school, college and privately, culminating in a starring role as Countess Louisa in "Song of Norway." She also sang in the choirs of the Cathedral Church of St. John as well as in choruses of the Opera Southwest Productions. Ruth dedicated her professional life to serving people with disabilities, including people with autism spectrum disorders. She was a tireless advocate for children since the late 1940s. Along with Elizabeth Hirsch, Miles Zintz, Joyce Leavitt and Martha Hayes, Ruth was instrumental in the founding of the New Mexico Autism Society (NMAS), where she served as a past president and board member until recently. Ruth founded the Albuquerque Special Preschool for children with disabilities, the first school of its kind in Albuquerque. The school was eventually incorporated into the Albuquerque Public School system. She was also a coordinator for the Pueblo Infant Parent Education program, serving the five Indian Pueblos of Northern New Mexico. Ruth is survived by her spouse of 64 years, John, and their daughters Ann Miksovic Savary (Lee), Marcia J. Pinzon (Otto), Rachel M. Lorenz (Todd), and Emily S. Anderson (Barry), and four grandchildren, Hondo and Alena Pinzon, and Geoffrey (Tierney) and Kristofer Lorenz. We are grateful to the Hospice of the Sandias staff for their compassionate care. A Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the Cathedral Church of St. John at 4th and Silver SW in Albuquerque, NM, on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Ruth Miksovic Lecture Fund, c/o CDD Autism Programs, 2300 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, Attn: Karen Wright. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th St. NW. ABQ., 505-343-8008.
        Published on: Tue July 08, 2014