Michelle Bradsher, Dir. of Communications
(215) 519-3519 (cell)
(610) 325-2958 (office)
[email protected]
Founder Dies at the Age of 91
Mildred Krentel Reshaped How People with Special Needs are Treated
(Berwyn, PA) Melmark’s co-founder, Mrs. Mildred “Miggy” Krentel, passed away on
January 16th. She was 91 years old and leaves behind a legacy that has changed the
lives of thousands of children and adults with disabilities and their families, not just at
Melmark, but around the world.
Miggy is survived by three sons and two daughters: Dave, Bob, Steve, Diane and
Melissa, for whom Melmark was founded. Miggy and her late husband, Paul Krentel,
also had a daughter, Martha, who died as an infant. Subsequently, given their loving
relationship with Martha, they decided to have a sixth child, Melissa, who was born with
Down Syndrome in 1963.
At that time, doctors and professionals advised the Krentels to place Melissa in a
special home in the Midwest. The Krentels wanted their daughter closer to home and
saw her as their inspiration to change the way the world viewed children with special
needs. In 1966, the couple founded Melmark, to fulfill their dream of creating a homelike community for children and adults with Down Syndrome and other special needs.
Melmark President and CEO, Joanne Gillis-Donovan, Ph.D., had great respect for Paul
and Mildred Krentel. “The Krentels’ vision of a community based on the foundation of
family, love and faith continues to touch countless lives,” said Gillis-Donovan. “Miggy
was a pioneer in a time that people with special needs were pushed aside, their rights
ignored, and often sent away to live in cold, emotionally sterile facilities far from home.
The vision she saw for her daughter was innovative in its day and has helped reshape
how people with disabilities are regarded and treated around the world. I have been
honored to continue building upon their dream”
Today, Melmark serves over a thousand children and adults from across the United
States. The individuals served at Melmark present with a wide range of disabilities,
including autism, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological and
genetic disorders. In Berwyn, Pa., its headquarters, Melmark operates an Approved
Private School and a broad scope of adult programs with residential homes on its
campus and in surrounding communities. In 2004 Melmark New England, an Approved
Private School, with local community residences, was established and is now located in
Andover Massachusetts. Recently, it has begun serving adults, as well.
Miggy was a longstanding member of Melmark’s Board of Directors, and she played
many roles in Melmark’s history. She co-founded the Melmark Service League, a
volunteer group with original members who still serve today. She also founded The
Joybells, Melmark’s bell choir that has performed at The White House and the
Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion. She produced the first Christmas play at Melmark
and also once led the charge in admissions, fundraising and marketing. At the age of
76, she went to Zambia, Africa as a missionary, where she worked with children in
need.
As if being a nurturing parent and founding Melmark were not enough, Miggy was also
an accomplished author, penning children’s stories as well as books about her personal
life experiences. She even maintained a blog titled, “Miggy Moments”, where her
writing style showed her spunk, determination and her love for God. It is that love that
guided her in all that she did at Melmark.
A memorial service at Melmark is being planned for Mrs.Krentel. Information will be
announced on Melmark’s website, www.melmark.org .
The Krentels were visionaries Miggy at the 2012
who changed the way people Melmark Ball
with special needs were treated
Miggy with Melissa
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