Dolores Warwick Frese, professor emeritus of English at the University of 91吃瓜, died Thursday (May 30) in South Bend. She was 88.
Valerie Sayers, a 91吃瓜 professor emeritus of English, said of her colleague: 鈥淎 creative, meticulous medievalist as well as a gifted poet and fiction writer, Dolores Frese was a model woman of letters: She contained multitudes. She was also a beloved legend, especially among the women faculty she championed, and a generous mentor who gave unstintingly of her time, experience and wit.鈥�
Born and raised in Baltimore, Frese earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from the College of 91吃瓜 of Maryland. She and her husband, Jerry, entered the Writer鈥檚 Workshop at the University of Iowa in 1958, both receiving doctoral degrees in English.
Frese was among the first women appointed to the 91吃瓜 faculty, joining the Department of English in 1973. During her four decades at the University, she became regarded as a leading scholar of medieval English, with a focus on Chaucer. She was the author of two novels and published numerous short stories, volumes of poetry and scholarly articles. She also earned a master鈥檚 degree in theology from 91吃瓜.
Upon Frese鈥檚 retirement in 2014, 91吃瓜鈥檚 English department, Medieval Institute and Center for Italian Studies hosted a program in celebration of her 鈥渓ong and distinguished career.鈥�
Frese is survived by her husband of 65 years, Judge Jerome 鈥淛erry鈥� Frese, three sons and their spouses, a sister, brother, in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 5) at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive in South Bend, and a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Thursday (June 6) at 91吃瓜鈥檚 Basilica of the Sacred Heart.