U of G Scholar, Writer Dies
October 06, 2008 - Campus Bulletin
Constance (Connie) Rooke, founding director of U of G's MFA in creative writing program and a former associate vice-president (academic) and chair of the English department, died Oct. 4 in Toronto. She was 65.
She helped start Guelph's creative writing master's program in 2006. She joined U of G in 1988 as professor and chair of English and was named associate vice-president (academic) in 1994. She left U of G in 1999 to become the fifth president and vice-chancellor of the University of Winnipeg.
In addition to her distinguished academic career, Rooke was a celebrated short-story writer and literary critic. She was the co-founder and co-director of the Eden Mills Writers' Festival.
She is survived by her husband, Leon, and her son, Jonathan.
Private funeral services are planned, with a public memorial service to be held at a later date.
