Sherry Fox writes to inform us that Danielle Parks, well known for her studies on Cyprus, died 31 July, of leukemia.

She was in my American School summer session in 1990 and I remember her constant excitement -- and her many questions!

Below is a summary of what Sherry Fox has written:

Danielle received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her doctorate from the University of Missouri. Kathleen Slane was her advisor. The majority of her research was undertaken on Roman Cyprus. She ran her own excavation at the Amathus Gate cemetery of ancient Kourion in the Limassol District of Cyprus. She also participated in a number of excavations in Cyprus and was additionally involved in a survey project at Dreamer's Bay near Kourion. I know that she worked in Rome as well.

Danielle was a tenured professor at Brock University in St. Catherine's, Ontario. Her book, The Roman Coinage of Cyprus was published (Nicosia: The Cyprus Numismatic Society) in 2004. I know that she is survived by her husband, Bill Meredith. I worked first with Danielle in 1989 at the Late Roman site of Kalavasos-Kopetra led by Murray McClellan and Marcus Rautman. Danielle loved Cyprus and was a trustee of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI). I know that she will be missed by many!

Dr. Sherry C. Fox, Director
Wiener Laboratory
-----------
From her husband, Bill Meredith , we hear of a Memorial Service and opportunities to contribute in her memory:

Memorial Service
A memorial service for Danielle will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, in Oakville, Ontario, at 2 p.m. Monday, August 20. The church is location at 89 Dunn Street on the southeast corner of Dunn and Lakeshore Blvd. in the centre of downtown Oakville. A reception will follow in the Whiskey Lounge at O'Finn's Irish Temper, which is a short walk from the church. If you are able to attend, please drop me an e-mail so I can provide estimated numbers for O'Finn's.

Travel: Oakville is located just west of Toronto and is easily reached from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), If you need hotel accommodation, please try the Monte Carlo Inn - Oakville Suites, 374 South Service Rd. E, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 2X6, CANADA Tel: (905) 849-9500, Fax: (905) 849-6405 Reservation inquiries: oakville AT montecarloinns.com For reservations call toll-free from North America 1-877-849-9500.

Donations

Leukemia Research | Dr. Danielle Parks Memorial Fund
Danielle's passing reminds us that there is much we don't know and can't cure, and we would like to invite you to contribute to the same Leukemia research at McMaster University that Danielle and I have supported over the last couple of years. The easy way to make a donation is on-line at: https://awc.mcmaster.ca/awc/MakeAGift.aspx
In the drop down for "Designation for this Gift", please select "Dr. Danielle Parks Memorial Fund" under the Faculty of Health Sciences section. Please also indicate that the gift is in memory of Danielle, by completing the "In Memory Of" box. Canadian tax receipts will be issued. Your donations help move forward the science of curing this terrible cancer.

To receive an US tax receipt, please donate to Friends of McMaster Inc, which is a US 501 (c)(3) organization. Cheques should be payable to:
Friends of McMaster Inc. - McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, DTC 414 Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
Donors should attach a note saying that the gift is for the Dr. Danielle Parks Memorial Fund (PLS3159A)

Archaeology of Cyprus | The Parks Prize
Danielle loved Cyprus and had wonderful memories from when she was living at Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) as a student working on digs and then as a scholar engaged in research. Danielle wanted us to establish a prize that would give other students the same opportunities to travel to Cyprus that she had. Accordingly, Danielle's father Michael and I are establishing an endowed prize in her name that will be given out annually by CAARI. Donations can be made by cheque to: CAARI, 656 Beacon Street, Boston MA 02215, and designated in Memory of Danielle Parks. US tax receipts will be issued. Your donation will help fund travel and living expenses for future archaeologists working in Cyprus.


Blood and Bone Marrow Donations
Starting on the day Danielle was diagnosed, and carrying on throughout her treatment, Danielle was transfused with life-sustaining blood products. During the course of her treatments and travels, she received blood in Cyprus, the UK, and Canada. Please consider donating blood regularly if you are able to.

Further, one of the key treatment options in the battle against leukemia is the bone marrow transplant, which requires bone marrow from a matched donor. Fewer than 30% of bone marrow candidates are able to find a family member who is good match. While in this regard, Danielle was fortunate, many are unable to have the transplant because they are unable to locate a matching donor. Please check with your local blood agency what is required of a bone marrow donor. (In Canada, you need only complete a simple blood test when you sign-up.)

In Canada, please see http://www.bloodservices.ca/ for more information on both donation options. In the U.S., please see www.givelife.org for blood donations, and www.marrow.org for information about becoming a bone marrow donor.


If you have any questions about attending the memorial or making donations, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me. I hope to see you at the Memorial.

Warm regards,

Bill


Bill Meredith
905-338-3133


------------------------------------


To the many friends and colleagues of Danielle Parks,

I am saddened to tell you that Danielle passed away early the morning of July 31. As with most things, she did it her way, waiting patiently beyond doctors' expectations for her brother to arrive from South Africa before dying comfortably at home, in her own bed, surrounded by her loved ones. Danielle was 41 years old.

During her 2-year battle with leukemia, I heard from her friends, her students, and her colleagues at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, and the larger archaeological community time and again about how she was loved and respected, and how her leadership, courage, bravery, industriousness, and indomitable spirit served as examples for many.

The care Danielle received for her cancer was world-class - the latest treatment approaches, delivered by a compassionate team of first-rate doctors, nurses, and other health professionals at McMaster University Medical Center in Hamilton, Ontario. Nevertheless, the treatment of leukemia is a terrible process, and Danielle underwent numerous rounds of toxic chemotherapy, radiation treatment, a bone marrow transplant, a gall bladder removal, acute pancreatitis, and all manner of poking and prodding by doctors with sharp needles. Often, the treatments caused pain, nausea, and other ill effects - but Danielle's chief objection was that they interfered with her work. During this time, she conducted classes and participated in job interviews from her hospital bed, helped to launch Brock's new MA in Classics Programme as its first graduate director, continued her research and writing activities - seeing her book on the coins of Roman Cyprus published and writing or coauthoring seven papers and publications. In her personal life, she made sure to travel and see friends when able, including a memorable trip through New England and, most recently, an emotional and heart-warming return to Cyprus. When Danielle was home, she had a steady stream of visitors, phone calls, and, of course, email. (Her hospital chart even noted that her laptop was an important part of her efforts to remain in touch with the outside world - and, indeed, it usually was next to her on the bed.)

Danielle and I married in October 2006 in Ancaster, Ontario - after a 20-plus year friendship that started in high school.

A memorial will be held on the 20th of August, in Oakville, Ontario. Danielle held several organizations close to her heart, and we are arranging for donations to be accepted in her name. Further details about both will be forthcoming.

Survivors include her parents Michael and Linda and her brothers Christopher and Matthew.

Danielle and I have received a tremendous amount of love and support - Danielle's friends, students, and colleagues wrote, visited, and called; Susanne, John and the rest of my colleagues at Healthtech gave me the time I needed to support Danielle, and covered for me as needed without complaint; and my parents Jean and Roger took Danielle to clinic once or twice a week, every week for the last two and half years, and provided support in countless other ways. A heartfelt thanks to all of you.

Bill



Bill Meredith
bmeredith AT healthtech.on.ca
(905) 338-3133

** Please feel free to forward this note to others who may be interested **