Lynette Seator Obituary

Lynette Seator passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, in the home of her daughter in Overland Park, Kan. She lived in Jacksonville from 1967 until 2003 when she moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, her home until the end of her life.
Dr. Seator was professor of Modern Languages at Illinois College from 1967 to 1989 and Professor Emeritus from 1988 until her death. She earned a Ph.D. in Spanish literature from the University of Illinois in 1972, completing her course work and dissertation while her husband attended law school and they raised four children.
Dr. Seator was recognized for her scholarly publications, innovative academic programs, inspired teaching and humane concerns. She established programs committed to the inclusion and education of women and minority students and received several grants to support her work, including two from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Dr. Seator traveled widely in Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, took groups of students on international trips and organized international symposia. She published the proceedings of one symposium in Changing Lives of Russian Women: Conversations and Contentions (1998).
Dr. Seator published individual poems in various journals and published two volumes of poetry, After the Light (1992) and Behind the Wall Poems (1999). She conducted poetry workshops in two Illinois correctional institutions and edited two volumes of poetry written by inmates, Hear Me Out: Poems from Prison (1996) and Speaking through the Bars: Poems by Women (1999).
Born Lynette Hubbard in Chicago in 1929, in 1949 she married Gordon Douglas Seator, an associate judge in Morgan County from 1971 and circuit judge from 1979 until his death in 1988. Lynette is survived by her three daughters, Pam, Penny and Patricia Seator; two grandchildren, Claire and Marc Cerda; and son-in-law Richard Skorman. She was preceded in death by her son Glen, who died in 2002.
Dr. Seator's family and friends remember her for her grace, beauty, intelligence, humanity, spirit and determination to do whatever she set her heart on; and her wonderful garden, in which she always found time to work.
A memorial to celebrate Lynette Seator's life will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to publication of Lynette's final poetry manuscript, Flowers and Dust. Contributions may be sent in the name of Lynette Seator Memorial Fund, c/o Penny Seator, P.O. Box 2082, Yucca Valley, CA 92286. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kccremation.com. The Cremation Society of Kansas and Missouri is in charge of arrangements.

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Published by Jacksonville Journal-Courier from Oct. 25 to Oct. 27, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Lynette Seator

8 Entries

Danielle Struthers

April 10, 2010

I am deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Seator's passing. She was an incredible woman who had an enormous impact on my life.
There was a small group of us who worked on Speaking Through the Bars together. She touched the lives of many, because she wanted to.

My sincere condolences.

Ernece Kelly

November 12, 2009

To the Seator Family and Friends: This world is profoundly diminished by Lynette's death. She inspired and enriched so many of us. Her kindness and empathy were expressed in innumerable ways--special attention to minority and gender issues and her student trips to Mexico were just three of them. I am deeply saddened by her death. She left us too soon.

Deananne Surratt

October 27, 2009

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I have great memories of your parents from my childhood ~ many at the courthouse. My father was Bill Jarrett, court reporter for your father for many years. It was a blessing to have known them...God Bless you. Deananne (Jarrett) Surratt

Molly Daniel

October 27, 2009

I did not have the good sense to enroll in any of Dr. Seator's course while I was a student at IC, but she nevertheless had an impact on my life. For generations of students, she was an example of grace, scholarship, and integrity. She inspired more people than she ever knew. My sincere condolences to her family.

Becky Woodrick

October 26, 2009

Lynette Seator was a treasure. Anyone who ever found him or herself on the receiving end of Lynette's affection and attention felt special. Her family aptly described her as a woman of beauty, grace and humanity.

In appreciation for Lynette's life,

Becky Woodrick, PhD

Mary Gray

October 26, 2009

Lynette Seator was one of the most inspiring women I have met. She was a role model for many "mature" women who sought higher education at I.C. Many times she encouraged us to live life to the fullest and to seek ways to contribute to society at large. She will be fondly and lovingly remembered by many. Mary Gray (Jacksonville, IL)

Alison Fry

October 26, 2009

I'm so sorry to learn of Lynn's passing. I have many fond memories of her. We shared common interests in Latin America , Spanish, and women in developing countries. We saw each other often at IC activities and I would also come with my parents to many college social affairs. I loved house sitting occasionally and l enjoyed her beautiful yard.

My condolences to the family. Lynn will be missed.

Sincerely,
Alison M. Fry, MD

Vikki Burdine

October 25, 2009

Dr. Seator was one of my professors at I.C. in the mid 80's. I have since wondered over the years how she was doing. I am happy to hear that she got to live in Mexico. I can see her sitting near the beach on a colorful blanket with a book in her hand. May it bring you comfort knowing that she touched so many lives.

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