A little over a year ago, Deane Kenny Stryker was taken from our community and the world too soon. Her memory remains close to our hearts and continues to inspire us

Padmanabhan, Divya L

English

University of New England

1 Year  With a year passing, I reflect on three special memories I have of Deane:  (1) We were discussing an article related to racial disparities in the frequency of preterm births. Deane spoke into the microphone with confidence, as she always did. She politely corrected our professor’s interpretation of the results while suggesting we (as a class) consider how systemic racism impacts health.  (2) “So, how are you?” she asked as we bundled up before walking to our cars after attending the anatomy review ready to take on a night of studying. I quickly answered with an automatic response. Deane gracefully encouraged me to share how I was really doing. I remember explaining that I was putting more effort into incorporating self-care into my schedule this semester. In that short 7-minute conversation, we talked about the TV shows I was attempting to keep up with and the book she had just read. At some point she said to me, “you seem really grounded.” Those words will forever be engrained in me. Inside, I wasn’t feeling that way, but hearing those words paved the path for me to recognize the reality amidst all the pressure I put on myself.  (3) There were about eight of us gathered around a table in Leonard learning about the process of coding and finding themes in qualitative research. In the midst of the groupwork, she announced that she was eating Wasabi peas in an attempt to cure her cold! Sure enough, she was passing her snacks around excited to share with the rest of us! Not only did she engage the group during that last hour of lecture, she created an environment of kindness and levity.   I pour these moments into this stone representing the lasting nature of her presence. These interactions push me to consider how I can better lift others up, dive deeper in friendships, speak my truth and find humor in my day to day life. Deane exuded these qualities every day and continues to have a lasting impact on our lives.   

1 Year

https://dune.une.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1110&amp;context=akesis

1 Year

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University of New England