Morgan Whitaker Stankey

Morgan Whitaker Stankey passed into peace and the arms of God on March 25 in Las Vegas Nevada. Morgan was a loving daughter, sister, wife, loyal friend, dedicated student and caring teacher. Language and learning were her passions, beginning as a toddler. To the amazement of her parents, she was reading at age 2, always carrying a book even when ordered outside to "play" in the fresh air. Play in the sandbox was not for young Morgan; she preferred hours at the McCollough library children's reading room with her Mom, Michelle. Her talent for vocabulary propelled her to a "three-peat" as the Vanderburgh County and Tri-State spelling bees champion, and three appearances in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. In addition to lots of hard work and study, heredity played a role in her spelling prowess-her grandfather Bob was himself Catholic Schools' spelling champion of Ohio. In spelling and a quick wit, she shared a special bond with her grandfather, who often proudly proclaimed, "Morgan knows stuff."
Indeed, she knew stuff, and her intellectual curiosity drove her to learn more-in the classroom and in travels that took her around the world. She graduated with honors from Harrison High School and the University of Evansville. In typical over-achieving Morgan fashion, she graduated with three majors: History, Political Science and International Studies. UE is celebrated for rigorous academics, but it doesn't require three majors to graduate! Morgan was proud to be an admissions ambassador for UE, perfecting the art of talking and walking backward, and only once falling into rose bushes while extolling the virtues of the University. She spent two semesters in England at UE's Harlaxton College, and later enrolled at nearby University of Nottingham, where she earned master's degrees in contemporary European history and politics. She was by her own admission, a "politics junkie," and was thrilled to obtain a summer internship with then-Senator Joseph Biden, just prior to his nomination for vice president.
While at Nottingham she fell in love with another international student. One of her happiest days was her marriage to Alex on a sun-splashed autumn afternoon on a college campus (of course), her sisters Gretchen and Rachael as bridesmaids, and her face lit up with joy as she marched down the Texas Lutheran University Chapel on the arms of her proud father, Michael and step-father, Stuart. After the wedding, Alex and Morgan settled back in England where both worked, of course, at British universities.
Morgan loved to travel, despite a fear of flying. She had a well-worn passport. It was on a visit to Thailand that she developed a passion for elephants. Morgan, a fierce advocate for the underprivileged, especially kids and animals, soon returned to Thailand on a volunteer mission to labor at an elephant refuge. She again returned to Thailand as a teacher, applying her language gifts to teaching non-English-speaking students there. She loved being at the head of a noisy, active classroom with her young charges vying for her attention with shouts of, "Teacher, teacher!"
Her sisters knew her best: "Morgan was beautiful, caring, funny and curious. She loved travel, watching sports, the Tennessee Volunteers, music of all genres, makeup and false eyelashes, and travel. She had an amazing sense of humor, incredible depth of feeling, was extremely caring especially toward children and animals, and fiercely compassionate for the underprivileged. She lived in a way that was authentic to her belief system, and wanted to make a difference in the world."
Morgan is survived by her mother, Michelle Dorsey; father, Michael Stankey; step-father, Stuart Dorsey; sisters, Gretchen and Rachael Stankey; husband, Alex Erdlenbruch; grandmother, Lynne Mazur (Doug Doherty); uncle, Mark Mazur (Lynn); aunt, Marla Schuch; and cousins, Kelsey, Hannah, Andrew, Kyler, Sara and TJ. She was preceded in death by her uncle, Scot Mazur; maternal grandfather, Robert Mazur; and paternal grandparents, James and Thelma Stankey.
After a life that has taken her around the world, Morgan has returned home. A celebration of her life will be held at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 5130 Lincoln Avenue, April 6, Morgan's birthday, at 11:00 a.m. (Please note that due to road construction, entrance to Aldersgate must be via the Lloyd Expressway, turning onto Fielding Rd, then right on School Side Dr.) Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel will be handling the arrangements.
Contributions in Morgan's memory will support the Department of History at the University of Evansville, and may be directed to "In Memory of Morgan Stankey," The University of Evansville, Office of University Advancement, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47722. They can also be made online at www.evansville.edu/give.