Date: Wed, 3 Dec. 2003 3:30 PM
From: Thomas W. Leonhardt (St. Edward's University)
<leonhard_at_libr.stedwards.edu>
Subject: Dana Alessi's Death
Dear Colleagues,
Sadly, Dana Alessi, a colleague of thirty years, died of cancer on
November
26, 2003. She left us sooner than her family, friends, and colleagues
wanted
but she won't be soon forgotten. If you knew Dana Alessi, active in
our
profession since the early 1970s, would you think back on your
relationship
with her and send me whatever memories you have of her? A tribute by
her
cousin and a copy of Dana's obituary are below.
Please send your reminiscences to me as soon as possible so that I can
assemble them and include them in a tribute to be published in Against
the
Grain. I would greatly appreciate a good response before December 23,
2003.
Thank you.
Tom
Thomas W. Leonhardt
Director, Scarborough-Phillips Library
St. Edward's University
3001 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704-6489
Voice: (512)448-8470
Fax: (512)448-8737
leonhard_at_libr.stedwards.edu
It is with sadness that I report to you, the friends and colleagues of
Dana
Alessi, that Dana passed away on November 26. Her mother, Louise, has
been a constant care-giver since the diagnosis of brain cancer in May.
The
last weeks, hospice care also provided additional support for Dana.
I am sure many of you were influenced by Dana whether in career
decisions
or shared personal hobbies. Her inquisitive mind, zest for life, and
bubbly
laugh will be what she would want you to remember.
She traveled the United States and abroad extensively and made many
friends through the years. She delighted in these friendships, formed
through
her job contacts and love of figure skating, and kept in touch with
many
people regardless of where her job and home was located.
As her cousin, Dana was my mentor in life - I followed her lead in
obtaining a bachelor's degree that led to my teaching Latin in high
school
and I also loved and participated in instrumental musical groups.
Although
our taste in music was slightly different, we both loved musical
theater.
I became a public librarian in 1970 and then went on to my present job
as a high school librarian - a bond of similar career choices.
Below is the obituary Louise and I sent in for the newspapers.
If you wish to contact Dana's mother, the address is:
Louise Bennett
3636 Angela Robin Apt. 104
Las Vegas, NV 89129
Sincerely, Lois McNicol, Dana's cousin
Lois McNicol
Garnet Valley High School
552 Smithbridge Road
Glen Mills, PA 19342
610-579-7771 (phone)
610-579-7789 (fax)
OBITUARY
Dana L. Bennett Alessi died after a six month battle with brain cancer
on
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at home in Las Vegas, NV. She is
survived by her mother Louise W. Bennett. Dana won the National
Spelling
Bee competition as a representative of the Rocky Mountain News
(Denver, CO)
in 1957. Dana received her BA in Classical Languages from the
University of
Colorado-Boulder, MA in Classical Languages from Indiana
University-Bloomington, and her MA in Library Science from University
of Missouri-Columbia. She received the Phi Beta Kappa recognition. She
served as Acting Director of Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and later
became Head of Acquisitions at the University of Houston. Her
employment
continued as she worked for Blackwell North America from 1978-1989
becoming Director of Standing order Services and Director of
Monographic
and Selection Services. Dana transferred to Baker and Taylor Books
working
as Director of Sales and Marketing for academic libraries from
1989-1999.
Dana authored over 11 articles in a variety of professional journal.
Dana
served on more than 16 committees of the American Library Association
and presented workshops at state, regional and national association
conferences
as well as mentored many people in the library and book industry. She
moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1999 where she worked for Ovid Technologies,
KNPR, GamingToday, and most recently served as general manager for
TPL Employment Services, Inc. Dana's avocation was spectator sports of
any kind with her favorite sport being competitive ice skating. Over
the
year, she attended many national figure skating competitions and
Olympic
figure skating events. She also loved travel and theater.
Memorials have been established with the University of
Colorado-Boulder
Library for purchasing research materials in the fields of Humanities
and
Librarianship, the United States Figure Skating. Association, Colorado
Springs, CO for the purpose of assisting young skaters in need with
training
expenses and Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, NV.
Private services were held.
Dana's request that this verse be her request for survivors:
When I come to the end of the day
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love we once shared-
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Maker's plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.
--------------------------------------------------------------
For information about ACQNET's editorial policies,
how to subscribe/unsubscribe, and access to Archives, see:
http://acqweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/acqweb/acqnet.html
--------------------------------------------------------------
Received on Thu Dec 04 2003 - 09:53:06 EST