Kate McQuade, a resident of Great Neck for most of her life, died on April 10, 2009 of complications from myotonic muscular dystrophy. She was 45 years old.

Kate moved to Great Neck at the age of 4 and attended local public schools until 8th grade, when she transferred to the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, a facility for children with physical handicaps.

At the age of 23 she moved into a newly established group home, set up through the joint efforts of FOCUS, a Great Neck Organization of parents with developmentally disabled children, and the agency ACLDD (Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities). ACLDD now owns and operates the home.

Until her illness became too disabling, Kate held a number of part-time jobs in the local community, including stints at the office of the Great Neck Park District and at the Manhasset Animal Hospital. She liked animals, and for a period of several years kept a pet ferret in her room at the group home.

She is survived by her mother Ann McQuade; and two siblings, Molly and Benjamin McQuade.

Donations in her memory should be made to either ACLDD or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.