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In Memoriam: Professor F. Elaine DeLancey

With deep sadness and profound sympathy, we mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Professor F. Elaine DeLancey, who passed away on Monday, July 18, 2011. This truly terrible and incomprehensible news is really too tough to handle but we are consoled by the fact that in her more than twenty-five years at Drexel, Elaine DeLancey always strove to do what was right for the university. The scholar with the most intimate knowledge of the work of Philadelphia’s own Sonia Sanchez, Dr. DeLancey’s particular and distinctive roles in highlighting not only the literary work of Ms. Sanchez but also those of other African American writers as well as the connections between literature and science will remain lasting monuments in the academy and beyond. We also are aware that, compared to that of her family’s grief and loss, ours is minor, but our department remains heartened by the knowledge that we will not let F. Elaine DeLancey’s efforts go in vain.  

Abioseh M Porter
Department Head

Farewell
Farewell to Thee!  But not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;
Within my heart they still shall dwell
And they shall cheer and comfort me.

Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live
And men more true Thou wert one;
Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,
Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.
Anne Bronte
1820-1849

PS: Notorious for refusing to be photographed, Dr. DeLancey did not "catch" me taking the following picture at her last Drexel celebration of Sonia Sanchez on June 2, 2011: