Colleen J. McElroy

Colleen was a remarkable woman, friend and mentor. I still remember her telling our poetry class to get interesting and write something "nasty!" I miss her and I send her family all my love.

I met Colleen in 2003. She came to Sardinia to give a lecture at the University of Cagliari. At that time I was working as a researcher and my contact person asked me to take her to visit the city. A few hours later and I found myself completely bewitched by this great woman. So clever, so amiable, so humble. I was told to bring her to museums and similar. She wanted to see real life. So I invited her to my house for lunch with my grandma and sister. We spoke about Sardinian traditions and we...

My beloved friend, I shall always carry a part of you.

She was a true gem and I shall miss hearing her many stories.

I had the good fortune of being one of her poetry students in the early 90's. Colleen was incredibly encouraging and supportive of my journey to be an artist. She gave so much of her time to help me find my voice, to pare things down and hone my craft. I am incredibly indebted to her. My condolences to her friends and family. She was a remarkable and generous person.

I was just thinking of Colleen recently and of her impact on my life. It was the early 80s at the UW. I took every poetry class I could. I remember a independent study poetry "group" she oversaw. Just five of us in the group with me the only white girl--which didn't even register with me until later. Colleen wrote a letter for me to get into grad school that truly was wonderful. I consider her one of the strongest influences from my time at the UW, if not THE strongest influence.

I did not have the pleasure of knowing her personally. However, I have benefitted from her wisdom and knowledge through knowing her daughter, who is one of my closest friends. Her absence will be felt long into the future and her impact will have ripples that flow even beyond that.