On Monday, December 19, 2011, Wisconsin's disability community lost one of our dearest friends. Jayn Wittemyer, of Mt. Horeb, passed away at the age of 74. We are all saddened by this great loss.

Everyone who met Jayn soon knew what a dynamo she was - a straight-talking, energetic advocate for people with disabilities. Her belief in every human being was unshakeable and her passion for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities was boundless.

Jayn worked as the executive director of the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities (now the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities) for 21 years. She could (and would!) talk with anyone in her efforts to promote her message - state and federal legislators of both parties, heads of state agencies, families, university students - while still making time for her family, including her beloved Amy.

We are a better state because of Jayn Wittenmyer. And I am a better person for having known her.

To find out more about Jayn, go toKnow Your MadisonianorJayn Wittenmyer. Feel free to share your thoughts about Jayn below.