Harolyn "Sue" Kaplan, 50, a former physical therapist and recreation specialist, died June 27 at her home in Takoma Park of complications from metastatic breast cancer.

Ms. Kaplan was born in Washington and graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring. She was a 1984 graduate of the University of Maryland, where she was an intern in a campus child psychology clinic.

In 1985, she joined the Episcopal Center for Children and later became co-director of the residential program. She was an adaptive aquatics instructor for children with emotional and physical disabilities and developed a pet therapy program, using animals donated from pet shops. She was also the center's lifeguard and pool operator for a summer swimming program.

She had to retire because of her illness in 2000.

She participated in several Susan G. Komen races for the cure, to raise money to fight breast cancer.

Survivors include her partner of 28 years, Catherine Markley of Takoma Park; two sons, Jeremy Kaplan-Markley and Justin Kaplan-Markley, both of Takoma Park; two brothers, Melvin Kaplan of Lusby and Marc Kaplan of Potomac; and a sister, Robin Kaplan of Damascus, Va.