Thursday, November 11, 2021
The thought of Day always brightens my world. She hired me to be her assistant teacher when I was looking for a job where I had the same hours as my children. Sure I was qualified for the position but why she was so excited to hire me was because I was a Ph.D. chemist. She wanted to be able to call me Dr. Dezube, which she always did. She expressively wanted the girls in the class to know that they could become scientists and doctors, that all doctors were not men and then she would always add, that you could be attractive and be a scientist. That aside my years with Day in the classroom were eye opening. She always had a project going or extra time to help the children struggling academically or personally.
She was a vigilant spokesperson for racial justice. As a first timer at our book club she jumped right in with books looking historically at systemic racial injustice, books addressing racism within the individual, and as always on topics pushing for social justice. I loved her for her opening a book door and through that a door to self introspection.
Finally, she loved getting together for a lunch, dinner party or walk. Bringing people together from different parts of her life. The discussions were lively, we would find out how her children and grandchildren were doing, moments from her past with her husband or high school friends in Chapel Hill. It was always an intriguing blend, historic stories of Chapel Hill and the south mixed with her current life of volunteer activities and trips to visit family.
I will miss you.
Milana
