I had the great good fortune of having Mrs. Creel  for senior English at Riverdale High School in 1982.  It was World Literature and what we read certainly opened new worlds for all of us. Our school was also a new world because it was the first co-ed year. Boys! She didn't miss a beat. It was a very tough class and I had to really work, but I loved it. I thought about teaching those works sometime in the future, Dante, Milton, the Upanishads, Tolstoy, etc.  She pushed us because she knew we could do more. Now, after 32 years of teaching English and history, I hope I have done half as much for my students as she did for me. I hear her in myself quite often.  

My condolences to her family and my gratitude for her inspiration.

I write this with tears blurring my vision. Ms. Creel was the smartest teacher I encountered in my years in the Jefferson Parish School System. She was certainly talented enough to have made much more money in some other field, but I think a love of sharing knowledge kept her in the teaching profession. She was always fair, humane, courteous, and funny. Steven Milling told me a wonderful story a few years back about her helping him cover up the fact that he had been drinking before his Ring Ceremony, revealing an anti-authoritarian and devious streak I had never suspected, but which gave her added charm to my eyes. Goodbye, gentle woman.

Loved Ms Creel. Had her senior year in 85. Quit smoking because of a carefully crafted story she told me. Saw her in Breaux Mart several years later and told her so. She was retired and when I asked her what she was doing those days she replied, “whatever I damn well please!” So spunky!!

My condolence to the family of Mrs. Creel. I had her as a teacher in 1985 for Business English and English IV. She taught us all the proper annunciation of “ask” and “axe”.  If it wasn’t for her, I don’t think I would’ve ever passed English that year. Love you always. 

Dear Family of Ms. Creel:

I was deeply saddened to learn of Ms. Creel's death and send all of you my heartfelt condolences. My friend who made me aware of this called her a "legend." Another referred to her as an "institution." I agree with these descriptions.

I was a student of Ms. Creel at Riverdale in my senior year of 1984 and she had a profound impact on my life. I know I speak for an incalcuable number of others when I say this. I can't remember all of the teachers in my life, but it is impossible for me not to remember her.  Her dedication, charismatic personality, passionate teaching style, and insistence on students giving 100% at all times simply can't be forgotten.

While I could share several stories from her class, I'll pick one.  We were in the middle of discussing Dante's 'The Divine Comedy' and I was repeatedly referring to him as "dahn-TAY alley-GEARY."  Well she finally had had enough of my know-it-all bravado and said before the entire class, "Mr. Ball, it is not 'dahn-TAY alley-GEARY,'  it is simply 'DANTE!'" From that day forward I learned it was better to listen to experts in their field rather than think I know better. Oh, and I'm only 90% sure on this, but I think she was the one who used to grade papers in the silence of her car.  Back then I thought this to be strange but now I say "Hey, why not?!"

Thank you for everything Ms. Creel. You are now in the place of love and light, where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal.  And please forgive me for any spelling or grammar errors.

OBITUARY

Doris Gurtner Creel

2 December, 1925 – 1 March, 2018

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

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