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7
Feb
2011
Yeshiva University Mourns the Passing of Dr. Joanna Mellor, Dedicated Teacher and Colleague
The University is saddened by the loss of Wurzweiler School of Social Work’s Dr. Joanna Mellor, DSW, LMSW, who passed away on February 6.
“Joanna was the consummate academic, who in her quiet but forceful way enlightened her colleagues and gave tirelessly to her students,” said Sheldon Gelman, professor and Dorothy and David I. Schachne Dean at Wurzweiler. “She met all of her classes through the end of fall semester despite her great pain.”
Dr. Mellor grew up in England and graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science, London University in 1963, with a B.Sc. in Sociology. After immigrating to the United States in 1964, she obtained an M.S. in Social Welfare from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1977 and a D.S.W. from the City University of New York in 1994.
Prior to joining the faculty of the Wurzweiler in 2004, Dr. Mellor served as executive director of the Hunter/Mount Sinai Geriatric Education Center from 1986-1997; assistant professor in the Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1997-1999; director of Connections, a volunteer outreach program; and vice president for information services at the Lighthouse International, 1999-2003.
“My memories of Dr. Mellor are of a vibrant, caring, spectacular professor,” said Esti Schloss, a student in Wurzweiler’s Block Program. “I feel very lucky to have been exposed to such a fantastic woman. A woman of true dignity. A women who sincerely cared. She forever will be a role model and mentor for me.”
We ask students and colleagues to leave their memories and condolences in the comments section below.
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It was so sad to hear of Dr. Mellor’s passing; I have nothing but positive memories of her. Her humor, knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication will always be remembered. I am extending my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all who are saddened by her loss. Rest in peace, Dr Mellor.
Dear Friends,
Joanna was my second eldest sister and I have many fond memories of growing up with my four sisters in Sutton Coldfield, England. I am touched and heartened by all the comments about my sister that I have just viewed on your University website. This is a side of her life that I knew little about. Your thoughts are of great strength and comfort and on behalf of my two remaining sisters I thank you all. Thanks Jo for making a difference. Your Brother.
Joanna was more than a colleague. She was a wonderful friend. I loved her sense of humor, her warmth and understanding, and the way she worked with students. We worked with some of the same doctoral students. She contributed so much — encouraging them to move forward and at the same time holding them to very high standards. No one can take her place. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Tony her husband, her children and the rest of her family. I will miss her very much!!!
I heard, recently, about the loss of Dr. Mellor. I am terribly sorry to hear this news; she was such a wonderful, inspiring woman who dedicated her life to helping others. I know that this loss will be deeply felt by many; my condolences to her family and to her many friends at Wurzweiler. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
On behalf of the editorial team at the Journal of Gerontological Social Work I would like to offer our condolences to Joanna’s family. She was a generous woman. Even after the journal’s editorial transition she remained involved in JGSW, providing insightful comments to aspiring authors as an anonymous reviewer. Her contributions to our journal and our profession will continue to be deeply appreciated, even as her presence will be sorely missed.
Joanna was a warm, wise, and witty woman. She could be counted on to provide the calm voice of restraint and sanity, yet she was a fierce advocate and a staunch believer in the values that she taught. Joanna exemplified the best in our profession and did it with grace and humility. She is sorely missed by her colleagues and friends. Sincere condolences to her family and all who mourn the loss of Joanna – a woman of substance.
I live in Bury St Edmunds, England just a few yards from Trish Mellor who is Joanna’s mother in law. Over the years I have had the great pleasure in meeting Joanna and always found her to be kind, brave, inteligent and fiesty. How i wish i had,had more time with her.
Love, thoughts and prayers go to Anthony and his family.
Elizabeth
It is with shock and sadness that I learned of the passing of Dr. Mellor. I was fortunate to have Dr. Mellor my first summer of the block program for cultural diversity. There were often spirited and sometimes heated discussions which Dr. Mellor facilitated with grace and professionalism. In retrospect, I see that Dr. Mellor not only taught cultural diversity, but through modeling taught all of us future social workers how to create that safe, non judgemental enviroment that is condusive for the exchange of information, ideas and values even if there is disagreement. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Mellor had an open door policy. Dr. Mellor gave freely of her time and her wisdom and any student could always go in to her for advice or a chat in the middle of the day. The respect that Dr. Mellor gave to the students is something to be emulated. The Wurzweiler family of administration, staff and students will miss Dr. Mellor deeply. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
What a loss to us all. Dr. Mellor was a wonderful colleague whose brilliance, energy and warmth will be very much missed. She inspired everyone who had the opportunity to know her.
This is a very sad loss for Yeshiva University, and for all who worked closely with Dr. Mellor. Among her unique achievements were her tireless efforts to bring together faculty of disparate disciplines for interdisciplinary conferences dedicated to improving the lives of older persons. She will be greatly missed.
Dr. Mellor will teach Advance directives classes in heaven. God will be pleased with her because she will give her 100% to her students and her classroom will always be cleaned after each class session.
I am in disbelief as I just read this news about Dr. Mellor. She was truly an advocate for social justice and the rights of our older elders and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered population. I was very fortunate to have a few one on one conversations about life in general, being an older student, and Wurzweiler. I will always remember how she was flabbergasted at my bravery of wearing white pants during the summer block semester given the griminess of NYC. She made me think, laugh, and ponder. I am forever grateful for her guidance. Kelly “Keleigh” Burnett, MSW WSSW 10