Stephanie James Ely, 58, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, at Hospice of Dayton. She was a two-year survivor of pancreatic cancer. Stephanie was a staff member in the Dept. of Communication and Marketing at Wright State University. She filled several roles during the 14 years prior to her diagnosis, the most recent as director of media relations. A veteran newspaper photojournalist, Stephanie worked for the European Stars & Stripes in Germany, and in Florida for The St. Petersburg Times and The Orlando Sentinel. In the mid-1970s, the St. Pete Times was at the forefront of newspaper photojournalism and was leading the way in full-color press photography. Stephanie covered hurricanes, car wrecks, fires, cops, college and pro football, the arts, rock and roll and pop music, and many projects of her own making. Working at Stars & Stripes, 1980-85, Stephanie's assignments included photographing and writing about military maneuvers, service members' missions, their lifestyles and families throughout Europe, and in Egypt, Turkey and Greece. Her photo showing the aftermath of a terrorist bombing targeting a top U. S. Army general in Heidelberg, Germany, was the cover shot for Stern, the leading German newsweekly magazine at the time. At The Orlando Sentinel, 1985-1990, Stephanie covered news along the Space Coast, including numerous space shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center and Air Force launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Stephanie is survived by her husband of 31 years, Rob; their sons Travis and Will; parents Bill and Evelyn James of Bloomington, Ind.; three brothers from the Chicago area, Jeff, David and Patrick James; a sister, Susan Doyle from near Madison, Wis.; and a brother, Matt James from Athens, Ohio. A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. at St. Helen Parish, 605 Granville Place, Dayton. A reception will follow at Wright State University in the Berry Room of the Nutter Center. Stephanie wanted to establish a scholarship for student workers in the Dept. of Communication and Marketing. Details as they become available about the church service, the reception and the scholarship will be posted here on this web page.

Before she died, Stephanie requested that in lieu of flowers, friends, family, colleagues and coworkers consider donating to a memorial scholarship fund at Wright State University. Checks may be written to Wright State University Foundation with the words "Ely Scholarship" on the memo line of the check. Mailing address: WSU Foundation; 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy; Dayton, OH 45435-0001.

Published in Dayton Daily News on December 30, 2011