A Lawrence woman who co-founded Cottonwood Inc. died Tuesday.

Bryona P. Wiley, 77, had a son who was developmentally disabled and saw firsthand the need for services and assistance.

“She and her husband, Lyman, were faced with the responsibility of raising a child with disabilities when there were no services available,” said Sharon Spratt, executive director of Cottonwood.

Wiley played a key role in starting Cottonwood, the nonprofit organization providing residential, employment and community support for people with disabilities in Douglas and Jefferson counties. A year ago, Cottonwood celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Though there were many people who helped get Cottonwood off the ground, Wiley “was one of those people who took the reins and made it go,” said Judy Morris, Lawrence, who once served as the development director at Cottonwood.

“She was the ‘little engine that could,'” Morris said. “She was a very impassioned, dedicated person.”

Mary Jeanne Sneegas, Lawrence, a former Cottonwood staffer, was impressed with Bryona Wiley’s selflessness.

“For over 45 years, she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Lawrence and across the state,” Sneegas said.

Sneegas also noted that before Cottonwood, Wiley helped start the former Bess Stone Activities Center in Lawrence for people who had developmental disabilities.

“It was always her major fight and concern and hobby in life to see that the developmentally disabled were able to have a productive life as anyone is entitled to,” said her daughter, Teri Wiley, Lawrence.

“Mom was always a strong person with a great sense of humor who always saw that everyone was allowed to have their opinion, but when there was debate, she was right in the middle of it,” she said.

Bryona Wiley had cancer when she died at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.