In Memoriam: Eleanor Parker Merrill

Dear UNE Community,

I am saddened to share that a former faculty member and dear friend of the university, Eleanor Parker Merrill, passed away on January 17th.  

Eleanor was an educator and volunteer in the community, and a supporter of the literary arts and the Maine Women Writers Collection. She taught at Westbrook College in the Continuing Education division and was beloved by her students. She taught literature appreciation for 25 years to the Women's Literary Union (affiliated with Westbrook and UNE).
 
In 1993, Eleanor was named an honorary alumna of Westbrook College, and was recognized again in 2005 by UNE with the Deborah Morton Award for her many contributions to the university and our state.
 
Eleanor is survived by her four children, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nephews, and her dear sister Wilma Parker Redman '41, HON '92, '02.
 
Parker Pavilion on UNE‚Äôs Portland Campus is named for the three Parker sisters -- Eleanor Parker Merrill, Wilma Parker Redman and Louise Parker James '43, who passed away in 2006.  

You may read Eleanor's obituary at the Portland Press Herald and a featured obituary about Eleanor also at the Press Herald.

Hers was a life well lived.

Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D.
President

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.