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Research specialist's courage inspires others Elaine Cox Terry, research specialist in the Department of Neurosciences (Neurology Division) for more than 30 years, passed away at home on the morning of May 6. Mrs. Elaine Cox Terry Despite having been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005 and receiving weekly chemotherapy treatments, Elaine returned to work after just a few months and continued full-time until February 2006 when her health began to deteriorate. Mrs. Terry, the daughter of Lewis C. Cox and the late Cora Edwards Cox, was born on April 20, 1946, in Anderson, South Carolina. She was a 1968 graduate of Limestone College. Elaine was the recipient of many Applause awards and a member of the former Key 100 Club. Mrs. Terry enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and spending time with family and friends. She adored children and animals. She is survived by her father, Lewis Cox; husband, Robert Terry, Jr.; daughter, Catherine Terry; and son, Robert Terry, III. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 69 Barre Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Elaine and I shared a passion for dogs. I remember when I was considering getting a Pug and having some great conversations with Elaine about the pros and cons of this breed. She showed me a great website that told me everything I ever wanted to know about Pugs and since then, every time we passed each other in the corridor, she would ask me, “Have you gotten that Pug yet?” —Matt Quintero, PhD, Department of Neurosciences (Physiology) Elaine was a wonderful person. We miss her smile. —Swapan Ray, PhD, Department of Neurosciences (Neurology) Elaine was an angel. One of those few sincerely sweet, caring individuals whose first thought was always of others’ needs rather than her own. She was the kindest, most patient guide and instructor I could have had in my early years at MUSC. Without her wisdom and advice I would not have stayed. To this day Elaine is the teacher and role-model I attempt to emulate when working with newcomers. I will miss Elaine, but I will never forget her. —George Ohlandt, Director for Admissions, Office of Enrollment Management Elaine was a very pleasant, hardworking, never-complaining person. Whenever information was needed regarding research for students and residents she was always willing to get the information and in a timely fashion. She is missed greatly. —Olivia Burch, Administrative Coordinator/Medical Education, Department of Neurosciences (Neurology and Neurosurgery) Knowing Elaine was a real pleasure. She is still so fresh in my mind’s eye. I have learnt a lot from her, both in science and in life. Elaine and I had lost one of our parents with Parkinson’s disease. She could appreciate my dedication to unravel the mechanisms of Parkinsonian toxin so well. I feel so much of Elaine in every corner of our Lab and her great spirits within our research that I can see her smiling and wishing us good luck. I would certainly like to share this small incident. I had asked her, “Elaine what does an American mother teach her son, who is going to be a teen before they start dating?” So gracefully she had replied, “Just do two things, both of you love him a lot…which I am sure you and your husband do and teach him to respect woman. There is no way that he can go wrong”. Several such good things she had taught me. So much to learn from her and her ways, but so tough to be Elaine! —Supriti Samantaray, Ph.D., Department of Neurosciences (Neurology) I met Elaine when I joined the Department of Neurology in November 2005. At that time I have got some kind of feelings that I knew Elaine long before and after a break I met her again. Gentle and gracious, at the same time enthusiastic, she was always ready to extend a friendly hand and help. Very intelligent, she was spreading around peaceful atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect that is so important for all of us to work together in. I am praying for the repose of her soul from the bottom of my heart. That is a way in which we can repay a small part of my gratitude to Elaine. —Varduhi Knaryan, Ph.D., Department of Neurosciences (Neurology) I had the great pleasure of working with Elaine during the PhD part of my program. Elaine never spoke negatively about any one or any situation. Besides doing her work with utmost professionalism, she was always eager to help others perfect the efforts - albeit in grant, abstract, and manuscript preparations, the science involved in specific research projects, etc. She never sought to bring attention to herself, striving to have someone else in the limelight. —Eric Sribnick, Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. student Elaine was always there with a smile and a willingness to listen whenever I needed to “vent” about the current day’s problems. She was truly THE example of how to go the extra mile. Helping others was what she was all about! Although she was a Research Specialist, she was always happy to cover the office for us so the administrative staff could go to lunch on Administrative Professionals Day or at Christmas. Another of her volunteer jobs was to take the graduating residents’ pictures to be framed at a place that was near her house. At my request, she took me on a thorough tour of the Neurochemistry Labs and helped me better understand what was going on there. I didn’t know how much I could miss our simple lunches together. Her friendship was invaluable to me! —Eve Hinman, former administrator, Department of Neurology Elaine Terry was a valued professional in our research laboratory contributing steadily to our successes of those days with studies of spinal cord injury, calcium and calpain; of sphingoglycolipids and ataxic mice; of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and other players in stroke models, and many other adventures. She was eternally precise, unhurried and accurate and ever the genial facilitator never too busy to help all - from the insecure new student trying research to the most focused - at times imperious - senior. Always mature, she was good-humored. Once, upon opening the lab computer to find dozens of games, I said impatiently, “Who put these in here?” The response: “Michael did.” And who, said I, was Michael? “Your son” came the deft ostensibly innocent reply as I beat a polite retreat to sort out our lab customs. —Edward Hogan, MD, former chairman, Department of Neurology Elaine is one of the few people whose ankles have not been attacked by my sister’s basset hound, Rosie. Even Rosie could sense the genuinely kind soul that Elaine possessed. Elaine was a great friend and I miss her dearly. —Kelly Guyton, PhD student, Department of Neurosciences (Neurology) I worked closely with Elaine for about 30 years and we had many 11th-hour deadlines during that time. Not only was she a treasured co-worker, she was one of my best friends. Elaine left many memories that will carry me through the remainder of my life. Most importantly, she was always willing to guide me through the tough times with her gentle, understanding manner. Elaine’s advice that I will always remember: God gives us bifocals, not crystal balls to see the future, or rearview mirrors to see the past, so we will more clearly see today. With Elaine as my guardian angel, maybe I can be more like her and follow her advice. I miss her greatly. —Sallie Bendt, Administrative Assistant, Department of Neurosciences Elaine and I shared lab space for many years. She could be easily classified as a dedicated employee, but she was more than that - she was a true ambassador of MUSC. When new postdocs, faculty, students, etc., joined our area, Elaine quickly became known as “the nice one” - someone who would eagerly make them feel welcome, no matter how busy she may be. Elaine enjoyed each day with never a complaint, never a derogatory remark, and always a graceful, pleasant smile. Throughout my 22 years in Neurology, I knew that Elaine would always be there—be at work, be a friend, just be when and where needed. —Denise Matzelle, Research Specialist, Department of Neurosciences (Neurology)   Friday, June 9, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.