To Teaching Fellows Program director Erin Hone, Elon’s Curriculum Resources Center was always brighter when director Allison Keill was there.
“Her vibrant personality filled the CRC and pulled students in,” Hone said.
Hone spoke as one of many students, colleagues, family and friends who gathered in the Numen Lumen gathering space on March 30 to celebrate Keill's life. She passed away March 25 at 50 years old following an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
The gathering of friends began with words from University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Kirstin Boswell before the floor opened up for attendees to share feelings and memories.
“What sorrow isolates, community can help,” Boswell said.
Along with her position at the CRC, Keill served as an associate librarian for the School of Education. She’s remembered as a lover of libraries who prioritized her family and was often described as a “ray of sunshine.”
“Allison made my life fuller, funnier, more thoughtful and more real,” Hone said.
The open-floor format of the gathering gave space for anyone who wished to reflect, leading to many colleagues sharing fond memories.
Associate Teaching Professor of Education Marna Winter described Keill as a “classic librarian” who looked for libraries anywhere she went.
“Whenever I’m traveling, I find myself taking pictures of libraries and sending them to her,” Winter said.
Professor of Education Scott Morrison presented a challenge to future educators in attendance.
“In honor and in memory of Allison, build a library,” Morrison said.
He suggested starting by buying books on grief to help students cope with loss.
Beyond her work, Keill’s colleagues remember her as a devoted mother to her three children.
Morrison said that even though he had never met Keill’s children, he said he felt he knew everything about them from how much Keill loved to talk about them.
Associate Professor of Education Lisa Buchanan described her as an “Olympic gold-medal mother.”
Morrison recalled one of Keill’s recent Instagram posts, where she spent the days leading up to Valentine’s Day leaving heart cutouts on her kids’ doors, with reasons she loved them written on each one.
Keill’s husband, Chad Esposito, closed out the event, thanking the Elon community for their love and support throughout Keill’s time at the university and battle with cancer.
“She knew that she was loved,” Esposito said. “It gave her strength and it gave her hope.”
Keill’s family created a scholarship fund to honor her commitment to education and support future educators. Her celebration of life will be held May 2 at the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington.