Welcome to the memorial page for
Sue Ellen Holbrook
August 3, 1941 ~ May 7, 2017 (age 75) 75 Years Old Light a Candle
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A candle was lit by Kelly and Joe--King Arthur's Britain tour of 1978..
on May 24, 2023 10:39 PM
Message from Sue E. Houchins
August 11, 2019 3:31 PM
Oh my, it has been a few years since I have been in touch with Sue. We went to grad school at UCLA. She was a year or so ahead of me. When she passed her oral defense, I moved into her house in Beverly Glen--her orange and purple house. I started out in Medieval literature too. But halfway through my studies, after I took my exams and was beginning my dissertation, a new discipline opened up in the academy--African American or Black Studies. This was a field in which I had grown to adulthood as a child of a professor at Howard University; so I abandoned her to a field that she loved. I cannot speak about her as a teacher, but as a student who suffered through Old Irish with me and who was generous when I needed a shoulder to lean on, I remember that Sue Holbrook well. And as another SEH in the same field, I can remember a few administrative mix ups. I had some news for her this morning and thought I might drop her a note. Oh, I am so sorry I haven't been in touch. She will be missed.
A candle was lit by Catherine McKenna
on September 27, 2017 8:53 PM
A candle was lit by Carol Yohe and Kimberly Yohe McMenamin
on June 17, 2017 5:17 PM
Message from Jeromy
May 20, 2017 7:53 AM
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. It is not an easy thing for any of us to go through. This bible scripture at Revelation 21: 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Along with this website at http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/lv/r1/lp-e/0/22695 has comforted me and and many others. This web site answers a lot of life's biggest questions from the Bible including the loss of our loved one and will we see them again? I hope this brings your family some comfort as it has mine.
A candle was lit by Donna Amariglio
on May 13, 2017 12:50 AM
Message from Dr. Maria Stasaitis
May 12, 2017 1:05 PM
Dr. Holbrook was my thesis advisor for my Masters degree in English at SCSU and was a professional inspiration to me, encouraging me to pursue a doctorate degree. I graduated last week and wanted to email Dr. Holbrook to let her know that I fulfilled this dream. I am saddened to hear that I can not tell her this myself. Dr. Holbrook and Dr. Claire Blatchley were special friends at SCSU that taught me how to write. I will always look fondly on my time at SCSU and offer my most heartfelt condolences on the passing of my dear kindred spirit Dr. Holbrook.
A candle was lit by Jack
on May 12, 2017 7:48 AM
A candle was lit by Emilia Caturano
on May 11, 2017 9:50 PM
A candle was lit by Donna Johnson Coppola
on May 11, 2017 6:59 PM
Message from Jennifer Hudson
May 11, 2017 4:23 PM
I had Dr. Holbrook while a graduate student at Southern Connecticut State University for Teaching College Writing and Medieval Women Writers. While the former paved some of the way to years of teaching Composition at Southern, the latter sparked my interest in the writings of women mystics such as Julian of Norwich and Hildegard von Bingen, which continues today as an Episcopalian with an active spiritual life. But perhaps Dr. Holbrook's largest legacy was her gentleness. Wishing her peace.
A candle was lit by Jennifer Hudson
on May 11, 2017 4:01 PM
Message from Patricia Bjorklund
May 11, 2017 3:55 PM
Sue Ellen was my professor at Southern Connecticut State University. I remember her fondly and with gratitude, and I still refer to some of the textbooks she required. I'm thinking about Exercises in Style. Style-- she certainly had lovely way about her. Peace. --Patricia Bjorklund
A candle was lit by Patricia Bjorklund
on May 11, 2017 3:49 PM
A candle was lit by Pamela
on May 11, 2017 3:07 PM
Message from Linda Olson
May 11, 2017 12:37 PM
SueEllen was one of the first friends I made at Southern, & she continued throughout decades to counsel & inspire me with her warm wisdom, gentle grace. Peace to her soul.
A candle was lit by Linda Olson
on May 11, 2017 12:32 PM
A candle was lit by Tracy Gardner & Caz Matonis
on May 10, 2017 4:51 PM
Message from Isabel McEachern
May 10, 2017 1:46 PM
I met Sue Ellen in 1997 when my husband and I moved to Connecticut with our 3 month-old son and we both started teaching at Southern Connecticut State University. As the Director of Composition, Sue Ellen was my boss, but even more so she was my supporter, friend and mentor. Her door was always open to me--and from my observation--to anyone and everyone who needed her and sought her out. Occasionally, Sue Ellen would offer words of advice, but mostly, she listened, and somehow through listening, guided me to find my own answers. What was most amazing about Sue Ellen was that she was so fully present and attentive to me during every conversation. Sue Ellen decorated her office in warm colors, with comfortable seating and soft light, so that everyone who visited her there felt as though she was being welcomed into a dear friend's home. But even when we stopped to speak in a busy hallway, Sue Ellen was able to block out all distractions and make me feel equally welcomed and valued, as if I was the only person in the world she cared about at that moment. Sue Ellen seemed to value the soul of every person she encountered, and in doing so, was able to bring out the best in me and countless other people. Rest in peace, dear friend.
A candle was lit by Isabel
on May 10, 2017 1:31 PM
Message from Bob McEachern
May 10, 2017 12:33 PM
I worked with Sue Ellen at SCSU for almost 20 years. I admired her attention to students, especially the grad students that she mentored. I also knew her be an excellent scholar in a relatively small community who greatly appreciated and who were influenced by her work. Mostly, though, I remember her as a gentle and humble soul, who cared a lot about the people who let her care about them. I hope (and trust) that she has found peace.
A candle was lit by Robert McEachern
on May 10, 2017 12:27 PM
A candle was lit by Renee Harlow
on May 10, 2017 11:28 AM
A candle was lit by John Roche
on May 10, 2017 9:37 AM
A candle was lit by Liz
on May 9, 2017 6:57 PM
A candle was lit by Leslie Hazen
on May 9, 2017 4:05 PM
Message from Leslie Hazen
May 9, 2017 2:51 PM
Sue Ellen Holbrook was my professor at Southern Connecticut State University and eventually, my thesis advisor. Her gentle grace, intellect, and wisdom infused each and every class, conversation, and, on occasion, dinner, with a deep sense of purpose. Because of Sue Ellen, I completed a master’s degree in rhetoric and composition. During the writing of my thesis, when my daughter got sick, babysitters cancelled, and my self-doubt reached a critical mass that threatened to derail my studies, Sue Ellen gave me a copy of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird to encourage me. She set up weekly meetings where I would show her whatever I had managed to write, whether one page or ten, and eventually, paragraph by paragraph, the thesis was written.
Several years later, after the birth of one of my children, Sue Ellen remarked that I was “rich in daughters”—an observation that has stayed with me these many years. Now, a similar observation comes to mind: that my life as a student, as a teacher, and as a human being has been enriched by having had the privilege of knowing Sue Ellen Holbrook.
With Loving Appreciation,
Leslie Hazen
Several years later, after the birth of one of my children, Sue Ellen remarked that I was “rich in daughters”—an observation that has stayed with me these many years. Now, a similar observation comes to mind: that my life as a student, as a teacher, and as a human being has been enriched by having had the privilege of knowing Sue Ellen Holbrook.
With Loving Appreciation,
Leslie Hazen
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