Eveleen Lorton October 11, 2021

Miami, Florida - Eveleen Louise Lorton, our dear loved one, friend, and colleague, passed away October 11, 2021. She was born September 20, 1932 in Sulphur Springs (Tampa), daughter of Rev. John W. Lorton and Leona Zander Lorton, sister of Clara Smith, brother of Dr. John Lorton, and half-sister of Naomi Ledwidge.

Professor Lorton taught at the University of Miami from 1966 through 2010. She earned her Ph.D. from Louisiana State University and was awarded a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at New York University. She actually conducted research in the applicability of the behavioral sciences to teacher education. Professor Lorton prepared future secondary school English teachers, pioneered a degree program for teachers in the Bahamas, authored numerous publications, served as president of the UM Women’s Commission, received the UM School of Education Alumni Award, was a Danforth Associate, and a member of the UM Iron Arrow Honor Society. She was an active member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, member of the Florida State Council, Field Consultant, and a lead evaluator for schools seeking AdvancED accreditation.

In 1984, Eveleen and Zelda Glazer founded the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and University of Miami Writing Institute, a research-based program to improve instructional processes for the teaching of writing.

Throughout the Institute’s long tenure of 36 years, this widely hailed professional development opportunity continues to engage and affect change, having touched the lives of over 4,700 educators.

Dr. Eveleen Lorton devoted her life to being a teacher of teachers. Her knowledge, wisdom, actions, and most of all her heart overflowing with love and pure joy, made her the highly admired educator and leader that she was. She deeply believed that what mattered most was that teachers were immensely valued and supported, so that they, in turn, would do the same for their students. She often said that her favorite aphorism was “life is a smile.” With thanks to her caring spirit, there are plenty of smiles on the faces of numerous teachers today.

Eveleen was preceded in death by her dear friend, Jane Everitt, brother Dr. John Lorton, sister Clara Smith, half-sister Naomi Ledwidge, and parents Rev. John and Leona Lorton. She is survived by nephews Jon (Barbi) Smith, Dick (Emily) Smith, and Mike (Teresa) Smith, niece Sue (Royce) Hammel, 10 grand-nephews and nieces, and 14 great grand-nephews and nieces.

In loving memory, a Celebration of Life service for Eveleen L. Lorton will be held on November 11, 2021, 4:00 p.m., at the University of Miami Fieldhouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development Writing Institute Fund through the University of Miami Division of Development and Alumni Relations, Post Office Box 025388, Miami, FL 33102 or online at:https://development.miami.edu/page. aspx?pid=383&id=433f97cf-3181-46ca-a91c916138db555a