Stephanie Dudek passed away on Feb 22, 2020 at the age of 98. As emeritus professor at Université de Montreal, a specialist in the psychology of creativity, a practicing clinical psychologist, former psychologist at the Allan Memorial Institute, and a seasoned world traveller, Stephanie Dudek had a passion for art, animals, and humankind.
She was an exceptional woman who almost single handedly raised a son Gregory who, with his wife Krys, produced two grandchildren Natasha and Nicholas, whom she adored.
She was one of the happiest people around, and had an exuberance for life that was unparalleled. With her enthusiasm for dancing, she came close to killing many a dance partner from exhaustion over the years, even in her 80s. In her university life, she published numerous papers on the nature of creativity, its relationship to personality, the genesis of creativity in children, and the signature of creativity in projective tests such as the Rorschach.
She obtained her MA at McGill University and her Doctorate at Columbia University in New York. Some of her professional recognitions included the American Psychological Association Farnsworth Award for outstanding service, and the Canadian Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession wherein she was cited as "a brilliant clinician, inspiring teacher and creative researcher, unifying these three roles in a remarkable and outstanding career."
She was married to Louis Dudek and helped launch him on his literary and professional career and remained close to him his entire life, even after they divorced. She eventually found Fred Martin, longtime administrator and Professor Emeritus at the San Francisco Art Institute, a warm, creative and loving man who brought exceptional richness to the second half of her life. With him she explored China and California and developed her own poetic vision using her maiden name Stephanie Zuperko. California flea markets will also miss their most avid customer.
The Family received condolences at Cote-des-Neiges Funeral Center (Centre-Funeraire) at 4525 Cote-des-Neiges Road, Montreal, QC, H3V 1E6 on Sunday, March 1, from 11:00am to 2:30pm. The funeral service was held the same day at 2:30 at the same location, with a reception that followed.
If you wish to make a donation in her name, the World Wildlife Fund is a suitable charity: https://wwf.donorportal.ca/tributeim/Donation/InMemory.aspx?G=14&T=INMEM.
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