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BORN
1939
DIED
2018
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Glenda Gill Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Glenda Gill
Sponsored by The Family.
Jessica (Gembolis) Hartman
October 3, 2023
This is incredibly late but I had a great memory of Dr. Gill last night and looked her up to see that she had passed. If her family is reading this, know that this woman was one of the kindest, most caring, and influential women in my life. I had her as a professor at Michigan Technological University in the late 90s. I sought out as many classes as I could from her and she was just as welcoming every time she saw me
enter her room as she was on the first day of my first class with her. Bless you Dr. Gill and thank you for everything you did for me. May you rest in heaven.
Sandra Gayk
February 17, 2021
I never forgot Dr. Gill. I took a graduate class in theater from her and I so enjoyed the class. One film we watched, A Raisin in the Sun, had me so lost in thought that I think Dr. Gill may have thought I was day-dreaming so she called on me to interpret a scene we had just watched. I remember going into great detail explaining the scene and what it meant. I could see afterward maybe I had impressed her just a little. We became friends, we went to lunch and I really liked her very much. I know she missed her home in the south, so I am happy to know she was able to leave our cold climate. She was a very special person. My sympathy to her family. Sandra Gayk
Karen Pearson
June 29, 2020
I recently learned of Glendas passing as we had not been in touch in some years. That distance did not dilute memories of our many personal conversations, shared interest in the arts, and the culture and history of of African Americans and the global family. Glenda and I met when we were on the staff at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) where she taught English, providing students with academic support. We frequently lunched together, enjoying a particular chicken salad at Jack Pandls in Whitefish Bay. After, I recall, a few year stint at UWM, Glenda and I kept in touch during her other travels. Particularly interesting was her trip to Mississippi, cameraman in tow, for the (actor) Morgan Freeman interview which became a chapter in her book, No Surrender! No Retreat!: African-American Pioneeer Performers of 20th Century American Theater. Though I was not there, I relived the travel as she described minute details and then as I listened to the interview while transcribing the recording to support her writing. I miss her and tales of her unique journey through life. I will keep in better touch with loved ones on this side from now on. RIP Glenda!
Bishop J. O. Lawson
JUAN LAWSON
February 9, 2018
I am sorry for the passing of Dr. Glenda E. Gill. She was a wonderful friend and university colleague for too short a period of time.
I met Glenda the fall semester of 1970 at the University of Texas at El Paso when she became its third Black faculty member. My deceased wife, Marjorie P. Lawson, broke the color barrier in the fall of 1966, and I became the second Black faculty member in the fall of 1967 after completing some U.S. Army military duty. As you might imagine, we three Black musketeers became friends and formed our own support group. I was the senior academician of the group (having completed my doctoral studies and my military obligations earlier) and had just been promoted to Associate Professor of Physics. Glenda and Marjorie were in our English Department and shared interest in the theater.
Glenda, Marjorie, and I often ate together, attended church together, and attended numerous social functions together. Although Marjorie had to take leave from university duties in 1967 and taught on a part time basis because of the births of our two childrentwo years apart, we three were able to continue our non university activities togethersometimes even with Marjorie and Glenda continually trying to civilize me by immersing me in the true Liberal Arts. (Physics is now usually placed in colleges of science.) I enjoyed their attempts, but am not sure how effective they were.
During her stay here in El Paso, Texas, Glenda moved her severely physically challenged mother, Mrs. Olivia Gill, here to an assisted living facility. On my daily commute to the university, I often visited Mrs. Gill before her eventual passing. I so did because of Glenda and because I was also a Christian pastor in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. The odd thing about my visits with Mrs. Gill is that she was such an engaging and positive person (in spite of her physical challenges) that I felt that she ministered more to me than I to her. I felt that I was maybe benefiting from the visits more than she was, although we both enjoyed the Christian fellowship, prayers, and discussions.
Glenda left the University of Texas at El Paso to pursue her doctoral studies (her Ph.D. in English and Theatre from the University of Iowa) and a productive and rewarding career at Michigan Technological University from which she retired as professor emerita. We maintained contact throughout the years with her keeping me informed of her writings, speeches, etc.still trying to make sure that I became more and more civilized via the arts. I appreciated her attempts. I think she did succeed in helping me to improve my world view.
I will miss the conversations and discussions that Glenda and I had over many years of friendship. Glenda would not let geographical distance truly separate us. Maybe we can continue our discussions and conversations in the next life that I believe God has for us because of our belief in Jesus our Savior. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep you the family members of my friend, Dr. Glenda E. Gill, during this difficult hour of loss for all of us.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Juan O. LawsonPh.D.
Professor Emeritus of PhysicsUniversity of Texas at El Paso
PastorHoly Light Church of God in Christ, Inc., El Paso, TX
PrelateTexas Western Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, Inc., El Paso, TX.
Ted Lockhart
February 8, 2018
I am very sorry to receive this sad news. Glenda was a friend and colleague who was always hospitable and gracious to me. She was an accomplished scholar and a gifted teacher who will definitely be missed by her students and colleagues. I extend my sincerest sympathy to all her family and friends.
February 6, 2018
I am very sorry to learn of Dr. Gill's passing. When I joined the faculty at Michigan Technological University, she was a welcoming colleague with a warm laugh, wonderful conversation, and lovely meals. My deepest condolences to her loved ones. Timothy Scarlett, Houghton, Michigan.
Rebecca Miner
February 6, 2018
Dr. Gill was one of my favorite professors at Michigan Tech. I took her Drama course and I will never forget her urging us to read Shakespeare with feeling. I still have the books she assigned (an that was 20 yrs ago)! I am so sad she has passed and send her family my heartfelt condolences.
Michelle Jarvie Eggart
February 6, 2018
Dr. Gill was one of my favorite professors at Michigan Tech. She was gracious, yet demanding. She questioned, prodded us, and fostered a growth mindset in us. She was a true mentor and role model for women in academia. She helped me learn to write. I am truly thankful to have had the honor of being her student.
Ann Will
February 6, 2018
As a former student, I will always remember her passion for theatre and her grand presence in the classroom. My condolences to all.
Jane Kvetko
January 30, 2018
My husband and I will miss Glenda, and we are honored to have shared many years of friendship with her. One always knew when one was in the presence of Glenda Gill. Her courage, her strength of intellect, her magnificent laugh, her finely honed scholarship, her love of theatre (and particularly the work of African-
American actors), her precise use of language, her skill as a teacher of writing and professor of literature, and her remarkably detail-specific memory distinguished her. Conversations that began with "Now, Jane, let me ask you this...." were inevitably rich adventures into one of the many ideas she was exploring. I cherish these conversations. Glenda's accomplished life was not easy and she bravely faced many challenges. I believe she is now at peace, resting in the comfort of her God whom she deeply loved. Thank you, Glenda, for sharing part of your light with us. Jane Kvetko and Stan Malless
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