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Dr. Appell was a lifelong academic, who earned her doctorate in education from Columbia University in 1959 after completing a cutting edge investigation on the effects of television on child behavior. She went on to become a published author, professor, and family therapist.
She and her husband, Dr. Morey Appell, were pioneers in family therapy and family life education and worked as a team on numerous projects advocating progressive practices in the field. They were co-directors of the Family Life Center of the New York Society for Ethical Culture and published several children's books that focused on healthy families. In the 1960s, along with her husband, she co-hosted a television show, "Family Talk," in Terre Haute, Indiana and in the 1970s, were co-hosts of WGCH 's "Family Talk" radio show. They also completed post-doctoral work at the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy in New York.
She was director of a nursery school, a high school teacher, and later taught in higher education at a number of institutions including Stout State University, Indiana State University, Brooklyn College, New York University, Hunter College, Queens College, and the University of Connecticut at Stamford. In addition to teaching, she was a consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education and in 1972 was appointed coordinator of Child Development and Family Life Education for the Greenwich Health Association.
Dr. Appell is survived by her children, Laurie, Randy, Glenn, Jodie and Jonathan; numerous grandchildren; and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Morey Appell.
A graveside memorial will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Temple Sholom Cemetery off Memory Lane in Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to At Home In Greenwich or Doctors Without Borders.
For more information, please visit: www.templesholom.com/
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