It is with great sadness that the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) at the University of Arizona informs our friends, colleagues, students, and alumni of the passing of our assistant director, Wendy Whitacre, this past week. Wendy was an outstanding colleague and professional, who was a teacher and leader for many. Wendy led a richly diverse and creative life, teaching here and abroad, leading our faculty, performing and producing drama, and simply bringing joy to many. Most of all, Wendy was a dedicated mother who loved her son Taylor and taught us all the value of life. Services are pending news from her family. We will post news via http://www.cesl.arizona.edu/. We invite you to post your thoughts and prayers.
Update
You can find a movie made by the 2006 CESL Drama club, directed by Wendy (and starring other CESL teachers) here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaLuTFbXIJ0).
26 comments:
It is with sadness that I received this message. I could not believe my eyes. Of course Wendy was a wonderful person. She was always willing and ready to answer all types of questions. She was very understanding. Rest in Heaven Wendy.
My condolenses.
“For updates about Wendy's services or her son, Taylor, feel free to visit http://www.carepages.com/home.jsp
Register and sign-in to the taylorwhitacre page.”
Thank you!
Suzanne
My condolences. I did know about her situation. What happened? She will be in a better place.
May her soul rest in peace..
As far as I notice, Wendy was one of the optimistic and happy teachers.
rest in heaven Wendy
We will miss you wendy! I had the most fun working under you. Thank you for everything.
We cesl students will never forget you Wendy. We will always memorialize you with respect and dearness. Rest in Heaven Wendy.
Wendy's dedication, service, and leadership impressed me much when i was in Summer Program 2007 at CESL. She is very kind and professional educator. God Bless you, Wendy. Rest in Peace!!! (moh. syifa amin w)
Guys please pray for our beloved teacher God bless her. She was one of the best teachers in CESL. I don't have enough words to say, but my heart is tearing up and crying. My eyes are numb. I miss u Windy, as you were one of the teachers I really admired and respected a lot. I miss you a lot Wendy and words just can't describe my feelings right now. even now that u have gone, we will always keep you in our hearts.
I always remember you with your smile. The last time I saw you, you were acting my yawning with your lovely smile. We'll miss you! Take care of yourself in Heaven Wendy!
I m speechless when I heard this very sad and shocking news, Wendy was great teacher and very kind, I can't forget her help, smile and talk whether it be at class, or happy hour (TGIF) or other CESL activities. I m very saddened by this news, I knew her well, and I met her son, My condolences to her family, CESL and all. May her soul rest in peace.
I am very sad to hear that. May God comfort Wendy's family.
I am very sad to hear this. May God comfort Wendy's family.
Souleymane
It was a shoking news for me. I just cant believe that the lovely lady is not among us anymore. While being at CESL, I have alot of good memories from her. God bless her and may her soul rest in peace. Amen
I ma very sad to hear this. May God comfort Wendy's family.
I still cannot believe that this happened. I have so much feelings about it, for Wendy was not only a great assistant director, but also someone who was able to listen to us and help us with all kind of problems we could have faced,academic or personal ones. I would never forget how she helped make my CESL journey a real enrichment through the Drama Club. Thank you Wendy for everything you have done. May you rest peacefully in Heaven.
I feel really sad about this news, and present my sincere condolences to Weny's son and family as well all CESL staff and students.We share the sorrow.
Dear Helen,
The news (about Wendy) I read in your (October 2) morning email is so very bad and sad indeed!
Dr. Whitacre was one of my favorite instructors ever at CESL. I will always remember her for being so nice and spontaneous at me and perhaps at everyone who had a chance to approach her. She was the first one to counsel me on how to get along and succeed on campus as a foreign student in USA. And I guess if I could ultimately make it to my Master's degree in Illinois (U of I), it's partly thanks to her and her salutary pieces of advice, too.
She undoubtedly, was a very highly skilled and talented ESL teacher, too. And her death represents unarguably a great loss for CESL, U of A, Tucson and the Arizona state, USA, and for the whole World.
One of the best memories I've kept of her is a CESL class souvenir picture (shot back then in July 2003) with her posing smilingly along with me and all of her Speaking class students. I will treasure it with deep thoughts for her and for all of you at CESL, and also for the parents, friends, and colleagues mourning for her.
Sharing completely the sadness that should be yours and that of all the CESL staff (students, teachers, and support personnel), I would like to present my sincere condolences to all of you at CESL and ask you to extend that to Wendy's parents and friends.
Sincerely
Jean Michael Marcelin, MS
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
My deepest condolences goes to the family and friends of Dr. Whitacre and also to CESL family. She has been one of the most friendly faces that I met during my short stay in University of Arizona. You will always be remembered Dr. Whitacre. Have a good rest!!!
I've just heard the news from my friend in Tucson, and I still can't believe what happened. I don't know Wendy in person, but as far as i know, she was great person, full of life. I hope she can rest in peace without any worries.
I will pray for you, Wendy.
I would like to give my condolences to her family, friends, and CESL members. She was really kind, sincere, and intelligent . I will keep in mind her warm smile. Thank you, Wendy. Rest in peace.
Very sad news indeed. I remember Dr. Wendy's friendly behavior with all students in CESL. May her soul rest in peace.
I will never forget her advice.
she was a mother for us.
we will never forget her smile.
Even thought it has been almost two years since Wendy died, I still think of her often. I never knew Wendy during her time at the U of A, I had not seen her in 30 years. We were friends in High School at Rincon in Tucson. She was always a wonderful and funny friend. I was shocked to find the news of her death. My prayers go out to her family, she was a special person.
Richard Dubis
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