Founder of Pioneering Autism Academy Dies

Dr. Simone Durand Schulmann, a longtime Moorestonian and founder of the Durand Academy for autistic children in Mount Laurel, passed away in Ft. Myers, FL, on Oct. 8.  

Simone was born in Aix-en-Provence, France, in 1929. She attended the University of Marseilles, where she completed her M.D. degree. She traveled to the United State in 1953 to complete her internship at the French Hospital in New York City. There, she met her future husband, Dr. Marcel Schulmann, an orthopedic surgeon. She continued her training in child psychiatry at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center. The couple lived in the New Jersey for more than 50 years, and moved to Moorestown in 1968.

Simone had a thriving child psychiatry practice in South Jersey and was one of a few child psychiatrists in New Jersey during the 1970s. She was director of the Camden County Guidance Center for 20 years, and served several local school systems, as well as the Bancroft School in Haddonfield. Simone founded the Durand Academy in 1972, the first institution of its kind in the state. She continued to practice psychiatry until she retired in 1990.

She was a loving and generous wife, mother and grandmother. Simone loved and adored her husband of 57 years. She was deeply caring and devoted to her family and friends, and enriched their lives through her insight and knowledge of history, music, books and travel. Her family will never forget her stories about growing up in Provence, particularly during the German occupation. Her family will also cherish the many books that she read and shared with them.

Simone and Marcel returned to France many times over the years. They loved their French Club and community of friends on Marco Island. She grew up near the ocean, and thus felt most at home by the ocean in her homes on Long Beach Island, NJ, and Marco Island, FL. She loved to collect seashells and glass during long walks by the sea.

Simone is survived by her husband and three children, Marie Schulmann, George Schulmann and Diana Glendinning; as well as her grandchildren, Courtney Schulmann, Maria Schulmann, Julia Metzler, Dylan Glendinning and Michael Glendinning.

A memorial service will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Community House in Moorestown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The Durand Academy, 111 Gaither Drive, Suite 101, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.

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