Saybrook alumna Carole Patrick, Ph.D., pays tribute to a fellow Saybrook alumna and dear friend

Lael Curtis, Ph.D., maintained an outlook of deep respect for all life on earth throughout her lifetime. It colored her studies, her work, and her friendships in positive and invaluable ways. I was fortunate enough to have felt her impact firsthand, and I hope to pass it on by honoring and celebrating her memory.

Dr. Curtis was a lifelong learner. Throughout her educational journey, she earned a master’s degree in theology, a master’s degree in social work, and a degree in law, as well as a doctorate in psychology from Saybrook in 2017. During her professional career, she spent more than a decade working in Indigenous law. Most recently, she worked to provide social services to seniors living in care facilities until health concerns forced her into retirement in 2020.

A profound value for life and social issues motivated Dr. Curtis’ life and work. She was guided by empathy and compassion for people who are disadvantaged and struggling for survival, as well as concern for the environment and the impacts of climate change. Every life, big and small, mattered to Dr. Curtis. When I sent her flowers for her birthday one year, she followed up with a message saying, “Your flowers still smell lovely. They smile at me every day.”

As an antidote to the sense of isolation and loneliness often pervasive in our current world, Dr. Curtis believed in the strength of families and the need for deep connections and meaningful communication. I believe our relationship served as the perfect example that she was right.

I met Dr. Curtis in 2012, during our first semester at Saybrook University while we were both attending a class in human science. Though she seemed like a quiet person and kept to herself, I introduced myself and we began a dialogue that would grow into a lifelong friendship.

For the rest of our time in the Ph.D. program, we supported each other, providing motivation and words of encouragement through our most difficult and challenging times. Our friendship gave me the strength I needed to complete the program, and Dr. Curtis often spoke about how much it meant to her as well.

We remained close long after our time at Saybrook ended, and in 2020, I unofficially adopted Dr. Curtis as a sister. Our weekly meetings continued until September 10, 2022, when her spirit left this earth.

I will forever be grateful that while gaining a valuable education at Saybrook, I also gained a dear friend and sister for life. Goodbye, Lael.

Carole Patrick, Ph.D.