Campus copes with Thornton death

Edith Thornton, associate professor in the English department, passed away unexpectedly in her home Oct. 2.

A memorial service for Thornton is tomorrow from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Gunderson Funeral Home at 5203 Monona Drive, Monona, Wis.

Thornton was involved with the Edith Wharton Society and American Literature Society. She also conducted research on the works of author Edith Wharton.

"Our hearts go out to all who knew Edie Thornton," Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said in a news release. "She was an extraordinary teacher and a fine scholar. Her loss will be deeply felt across this campus and beyond."

Marilyn Durham, associate professor in the English department, said Thornton had style and carried herself well.

"She had a great walk," Durham said. "It was like watching a queen walk by ... she was a creative individual in her own right."

Durham also said Thornton would be missed.

"I think everyone in the department is heartbroken," she said. "It's just shocking."

A "Book of Remembrance: In Memory Edith Thornton" was created on the UW-Whitewater Web site. Faculty, students and alumni have left comments about Thornton's life.

Rebecca Hogan, an English department professor, also mentioned Thornton's style in a comment left in the "Book of Remembrance."

"Edie was an inspiration to her students, an intellectual provocateur to her colleagues, and a wonderful talker and listener to all," Hogan said. "She had a style all her own: in dress, classy and flashy; in wit ironic and smart; in literature devoted to Wharton, in films and eclectic devourer. Even though we all knew that she was troubled at times, she almost never let this side of her appear. Like a brilliant comet she has flashed across our horizons and left an eternal afterglow."

Many students also left comments about Thornton in the "Book of Remembrance."

"Edie was the best professor I've had," senior Kyle Jacobson said. "She made me want to learn more in both life and the classroom. She taught me so much, and every time I learn something new, I'll know that she is still teaching me."

The "Book of Remembrance for Thornton can be found at https://guestbook2007.uww.edu/guestbook.aspx.